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Mesangial proliferation and deposition of immunoglobulins and complement components within glomerular mesangium was one of the important pathological features of lupus nephritis. Autoantibodies against human mesangial cells could be detected in the sera of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch-Schöenlein nephritis. We speculated that autoantibodies against human glomerular mesangial cells might play a role in the development of lupus nephritis. Objective. To screen autoantibodies against human glomerular mesangial cells in sera from patients with lupus nephritis and to identify their target antigens. Methods. Sera were collected from 96 patients with lupus nephritis as well as 25 patients with IgAN and 20 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Cell lysates of in vitro cultured human glomerular mesangial cells were used as antigens in Western-blot analysis to detect autoantibodies against human mesangial cells in sera from patients with lupus nephritis as well as IgAN and IMN. The clinical and pathological significance of the autoantibodies were further investigated. Results. Autoantibodies against human mesangial cells could be detected in 94/96 (97.9%) of the sera from patients with lupus nephritis in Western-blot analysis. Twelve protein bands could be blotted by the sera from patients with lupus nephritis. The prevalence of autoantibodies against human mesangial cells in IgAN was 14/25 (56.0%) and only seven protein bands could be blotted. Five autoantibodies (anti-18, 24, 36, 46, and 91 kD) could be detected only in sera from patients with lupus nephritis. In patients with lupus nephritis, some autoantibodies might have some relationship with gender, hematuria, ANA, anti-dsDNA or anti-ENA antibodies. Conclusions. There are autoantibodies directly against heterogeneous antigens of human glomerular mesangial cells in sera from patients with lupus nephritis, and some of them might be associated with different clinical manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six flavonoids, persicogenin ( 1 ), artemetin ( 2 ), luteolin ( 3 ), penduletin ( 4 ), vitexicarpin ( 5 ) and chrysosplenol-D ( 6 ), have been isolated for the first time as new cell cycle inhibitors from Vitex trifolia L., a Chinese folk medicine used to treat cancers, through a bioassay-guided separation procedure. They were identified by spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory effects of 1 – 6 on the proliferation of mammalian cancer cells have been evaluated by the SRB (sulforhodamine B) method and their effects on cell cycle and apoptosis investigated by flow cytometry with the morphological observation under light microscope and by agarose-gel electrophoresis to detect internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Compounds 1 – 6 inhibited the proliferation of mouse tsFT210 cancer cells with the IC50s (µg?ml -1 ) > 100 (inhibition rate at 100?µg?ml -1 , 47.9%) for 1 , >100 (inhibition rate at 100?µg?ml -1 , 49.6 %) for 2 , 10.7 for 3 , 19.8 for 4 , 0.3 for 5 , and 3.5 for 6 . Flow cytometric investigations for 1 – 6 demonstrated that 1 – 5 mainly inhibited cell cycle at the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner with a weak induction of apoptosis on the tsFT210 cells, while 6 induced mainly apoptosis of the same tsFT210 cells also in a dose-dependent manner together with a weak inhibition of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, demonstrating that 1 – 6 exert their anti-proliferative effect on tsFT210 cells through inhibiting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. In contrast to the cell cycle G2/M phase inhibitory main effect on tsFT210 cells, 5 induced mainly apoptosis on human myeloid leukemia K562 cells with a weak inhibition of the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. The present result provides flavonoids 1 – 6 as new cell cycle inhibitors and 1 and 4 as new anticancer flavonoids, which not only provide the first example of cell cycle G2/M phase inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing constituents of V. trifolia L. but also explain the use of Vitex trifolia L. by Chinese people to treat cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermally-etched silicon nano-porous pillar array (Si-NPPA) was studied as a sensing material to detect humidity. Room temperature capacitance sensitivity of Si-NPPA sensor was investigated at a relative humidity (RH) ranging from 11 to 95% under different signal frequencies. As a result, the measured capacitance showed an increase over 1500% at the low frequency of 100 Hz. The response time was about 15 and 5 s in RH-increasing process and RH-decreasing process, respectively. These excellent sensing characteristics indicate that Si-NPPA might be a practical sensing material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Patients with anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease were predominantly reported in Caucasian population and reports from Chinese were lacking. The general picture of Chinese patients with anti-GBM disease was still unclear. This study is to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of Chinese patients with anti-GBM disease. Methods: Data from 105 patients with anti-GBM disease diagnosed in our hospital, between 1997 and 2002, were analyzed retrospectively. All the 105 sera were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using highly purified bovine α(IV)NC1 as solid phase ligands. Clinical and pathological data of 69 patients with complete clinical remission (n = 5), partial remission (n = 10), and treatment failure (n = 54) were compared and the prognostic factors were evaluated. Results: Patients increased chronologically and three quarters of the 105 patients were diagnosed in the last 3 years. Most of the patients were between 20 and 29 years (n = 31) and a smaller second peak was found in patients over 60 years. 25/105 (24%) were also ANCA-positive. Patients with both anti-GBM antibodies and ANCA positive were elder (50 ± 19 vs. 34 ± 15 years, p < 0.01) and female predominant (15/25 vs. 16/80, p < 0.05). 56/97 (58%) patients presented as Goodpasture syndrome, 40/97 (41%) patients presented as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and one patient had pulmonary hemorrhage only. The following factors predict poor prognosis: (1) serum creatinine more than 600 μmol/l on diagnosis (p < 0.01); (2) oliguria or anuria on diagnosis (p < 0.01); (3) a high percentage (>85%) of glomeruli had crescents (p < 0.01), and (4) renal involvement before pulmonary hemorrhage (p < 0.05). Patients with serum creatinine over 600 μmol/l on diagnosis had higher levels of anti-GBM antibodies (106 ± 48% vs. 73 ± 40%, p < 0.01). Intensive plasma exchange therapy predicts a better prognosis in the patients with serum creatinine less than 600 μmol/l (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Anti-GBM disease is not rare in China and behaves similarly to elsewhere. Early diagnosis and intensive plasmapheresis might be the most promising approaches to improve the outcome. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catalyst is provided for the selective hydrogenation of dienes from fluid catalytic cracking gasoline. There are a small quantity of dienes in fluid catalytic cracking gasoline which can deteriorate the quality of fluid catalytic cracking gasoline, as well as make its further process inconvenient. These dienes must be reduced as impurity. In this paper, the nickel supported on alumina selective hydrogenation catalysts modified with magnesium promoter are prepared by impregnation method. The fluid catalytic cracking gasoline ( -1 , the volume ratio of hydrogenation and oil ( V H / V O ) is 10, and the reaction pressure is 1.5 MPa. The temperature of calcination is observed as well, and the optimal one is 1, 000°C [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal individuals usually excrete very small amounts of protein in the urine. Persistently increased protein excretion is usually a marker of kidney damage. Quantifying protein in urine is commonly used in the diagnosis of kidney diseases, detection of treatment effects and evaluation of prognosis. We evaluated the use of the total protein-to-creatinine ratio (P/C) in spot urine specimens as a predictor of urine protein excretion in 24-h collections.The correlation between P/C in first morning and random urine specimens and urinary protein excretion in 24-h collections were analyzed. The cutoff value of P/C in first morning urine specimens for screening urinary protein excretion of 1 and 3 g in 24-h collections was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.For patients with Ccr≤10 ml/min, correlation between the urine protein excretion in 24-h collections and the P/C in first morning urine specimens was not significant. For patients with Ccr>10 ml/min, the correlation was highly significant. Similar results were obtained for random urine specimens. By ROC curve analysis, the P/C of 0.94 and 2.84 g/gcr in first morning urine specimens represent the best threshold to detect urine protein excretion of 1 and 3 g in 24-h collections, respectively. There is a good correlation between P/C in first morning urine specimens and random urine specimens from inpatients and outpatients. But the P/C in random specimens is significantly higher than that in first morning specimens in outpatients.The P/C in spot urine samples could be used as an alternative to urine protein excretion in 24-h collections in patients with Ccr>10 ml/min. The P/C in first morning urine samples is better than that in random specimens, especially for outpatients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) are serological markers of ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis (AASV) which is one of common autoimmune diseases in Caucasian elderly population.Objective. To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of Chinese elderly patients with AASV.Methods. One-hundred forty one Chinese patients with AASV over 65 years old, diagnosed between 1997 and 2001 in the Institute of Nephrology of Peking University First Hospital, were retrospectively studied and their clinical and pathological data were analyzed.Results. Patients diagnosed with AASV patient increased chronologically with the yearly ratio in 2000 and 2001 significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in 1998 and before. Of the 141 patients, 72 were male and 69 were female with an average age of 68.2 years. 13 of the 141 were cytoplasmic ANCA (cANCA) positive and all recognized proteinase 3 (PR3). The other 128 were perinuclear ANCA (pANCA) positive and 120/128 recognized MPO, 8/128 recognized both PR3 and MPO. Less than 50% of the patients were correctly diagnosed within 3 months. Clinically, 78% of the patients had fever and fatigue, 52.5% had body weight loss, 96.4% had kidney involvement, of which 75% had elevated serum creatinine and 30.8% had acute renal failure. 76.6% had lung involvement, over half of them had hemoptysis or lung infiltrates. Other clinical manifestations included arthralgia (48.2%), muscle pain (39.7%), gastrointestinal symptoms (39.7%), eye involvement (28.3%) and ENT involvement (31.2%). In laboratory examinations, 94.4% of the patients had anemia, 62.4% had increased WBC count, 93.6% had increased ESR and 55.1% had increased CRP.Conclusions. More and more patients with AASV were diagnosed in Chinese elderly. Kidney was the most vulnerable organ to be involved and lung was the most important extra-renal organ to be affected. For elderly patients with multi-organ damage, an ANCA test should be performed in order to make an early diagnosis and start therapy in time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: Antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) are common medications in Chinese patients with hyperthyroidism and PTU-induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive vasculitis has been reported. The current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the target antigens of ANCA in Chinese patients with hyperthyroidism pre- and post-antithyroid medication therapy. METHODS: Sera from 216 patients with hyperthyroidism in our hospital were collected from January to July in 2002. Patients were divided into four groups: untreated (n = 34); treated with PTU (n = 62); treated with MMI (n = 77); and treated with both PTU and MMI (n = 43). Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay was used to detect ANCA and ANA. Antigen-specific ELISAs were used to detect antigen specificities. The known antigens included myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase 3 (PR3), human leukocyte elastase (HLE), lactoferrin, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), cathepsin G and azurocidin. RESULTS: 33/216 sera were IIF positive, 20 of the 33 samples were ANCA positive, 11 samples were ANA positive, and two samples were both P-ANCA and ANA positive. The prevalence of positive ANCA in patients receiving PTU (14/62, 22.6%) was significantly higher than that of untreated patients (1/34, 2.9%) and patients treated with MMI (0/77, 0), P < 0.017. Of the 22 IIF-ANCA positive samples, 12 (54.5%) sera recognized lactoferrin, seven (31.8%) sera recognized HLE, four sera recognized MPO and azurocidin respectively, three sera recognized PR3 and cathepsin G respectively, and one serum recognized BPI. Six of the 22 (27.3%) patients with ANCA positive had clinical evidence of vasculitis. All patients with MPO-ANCA and two of the three patients with PR3-ANCA had clinical vasculitis. CONCLUSION: PTU is associated with the production of ANCA in patients with hyperthyroidism. PTU-induced ANCA are due to polyclonal activation of B cells. Anti-MPO and anti-PR3 antibodies may associate the occurrence of clinical vasculitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A NIR-II dye TPBD-BP was designed and synthesized with NIR fluorescence under the guidance of TD-DFT calculation, which was applied for NIR-II imaging in vivo. [Display omitted] • TD-DFT calculation was performed to predict the electronic transition state. • A novel BODIPY-based fluorophore, TPBD-BP was designed and fabricated. • TPBD-BP exhibited NIR-II emission in both solid state and dots. • NIR-II fluorescent signal of TPBD-BP dots can be observed in the reproductive organ. TD-DFT quantum calculation was performed to predict and/or illustrate the electronic transition, the related absorption and emission maxima of some pyrrole-difluoroboron derivatives with different electron donor–acceptor unit or π-conjugated degree. Upon the calculated results, a new near infrared (NIR) fluorophore (abbreviated as TPBD-BP) was designed and fabricated through linking triphenylamine and pyrrole-difluoroboron units to benzothiadiazole (BTD) backbone. The fluorescence of TPBD-BP in solid state centered at 932 nm, which was 985 nm for TPBD-BP nanoparticles (TPBD-BP dots) encapsulated in PEG-6000. The fluorescence of TPBD-BP in both solid state and dots exhibited off-peak tail emission to NIR-II region (extended to 1300 nm). The TPBD-BP dots showed excellent water solubility, biocompatibility and aggregation induced emission (AIE), which was suitable to be applied in vivo imaging. NIR-II emission signal of TPBD-BP dots can be observed in the reproductive organ of normal nude mice after tail vein injection. This attractive combination of computational and experimental investigation would help to develop new-typed small-molecular NIR fluorophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2 Se 3 is an important compound having a complex phase diagram. In this work, we found a non-layered phase of In 2 Se 3 with the help of the particle swarm optimization method. Studies indicate that this phase is dynamically stable. It is an indirect band gap semiconductor with a gap of 2.36 eV. Calculated elastic constants imply that it is mechanically stable with elastic anisotropy. It has a low bulk modulus and Debye temperature despite of its non-layered structure. There are five strong peaks in the simulated infrared absorption spectrum and the corresponding vibrational modes are presented. Born effective charges and dielectric constants are obtained and discussed. The computed birefringence indicates that it might be a potential nonlinear optical crystal. • A non-layered In 2 Se 3 with dynamical and mechanical stability is predicted. • It is an indirect band gap semiconductor formed by Se-linked tetrahedrons. • Computed birefringence indicates its possible use as nonlinear optical crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in decidual NK cells was significantly increased in RSA. • AhR+ NK cells expressed significantly higher levels of NKP30, NKP44, NKG2D, perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ in both peripheral blood and decidua. • Kynurenine promoted the NKP30, NKP46, perforin, or granzyme B in pNK and dNK cells. • Proinflammatory factors, including LPS, TNF-α and IL-1β, up-regulate the AhR expression and further increase the NKP46 level in dNK cells. During early pregnancy, decidual NK (dNK) cells play indispensable roles in many processes including the decidualization, the implantation, and the maintenance of immune tolerance. Abnormal cytotoxic activity of NK cells can cause recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), while the regulatory mechanism of NK cytotoxicity remains to be unclear. In this study, we found that kynurenine in decidua and villus was in a comparable level between patients with RSA and normal pregnancy women. However, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in decidual NK cells was significantly increased in RSA. Compared with AhR− NK cells, cytotoxic activity-related molecules (NKP30, NKP46, NKG2D, perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ) was highly expressed in both AhR+ peripheral and decidual NK cells, and kynurenine stimulation promoted the expression of killer receptors and the cytoplasmic granules in an AhR-dependent manner. Stimulation with TNF-α, IL-β and LPS upregulated the AhR expression in dNK cells in vitro. These results indicate that kyn/AhR signal enhances the cytotoxicity of NK cells, and increased expression of AhR may be an induction factor of RSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we searched the high-pressure structure of metal Ru with the advanced crystal structure prediction algorithm combined with the density functional theory (DFT). We discovered two experimentally unknown structures, the face-centered-cubic (fcc) and the structure with the R 3 ̄ m symmetry, except for the known hexagonal-closely-packaged (hcp) structure. We constructed a wide-range high-pressure and temperature phase diagram of Ru from ambient conditions up to 500 GPa and 10,000 K based on the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA). The dynamic Hugoniot equation of states of Ru was investigated for the first time, which shows a slight mismatch between hcp and fcc on their phase boundary. Finally, using the stress–strain method we verified the previous high-pressure elastic constants calculated by the energy–strain method. Furthermore, we analyzed the variations of the elastic moduli, elastic anisotropy, sound velocities, and Debye temperature with pressure. • We discovered two experimentally unknown structures of Ru. • We constructed its wide-range high-pressure and temperature phase diagram. • The dynamic Hugoniot equation of states of Ru are investigated for the first time. • We addressed the elastic anisotropy of Ru using our proposed stress–strain method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a classic prescription and commercial Chinese patent medicine, Zuojin Pill (ZJP) has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) effectively for many years. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Aim of the study: Mice with dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis were treated with ZJP for 7 d. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of ZJP was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic observation; regulatory T (Treg) cells and their subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry; and the composition of gut microbiota was tested by 16S rRNA analysis. Activation of the phosphoinostide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway was observed by western blotting. The pathological damage was attenuated and expression of proinflammatory cytokines was decreased. While the diversity of intestinal microflora was regulated, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria , and Sphingobacteriia was modified. Meanwhile, the level of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and PD-L1+ Treg cells improved. These changes maintained a positive correlation which was analyzed statistically. Our results also showed that ZJP inhibited activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. ZJP regulates crosstalk between intestinal microflora and Treg cells to attenuate experimental colitis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the electronic structures and electronic transport properties of wide buckled and puckered antimonene nanoribbions (SbNRs) via edge hydrogenation and oxidation by using a first principle method. The calculated results show that the edge passivations play an important role in the band structures of wide buckled and puckered SbNRs. The current-voltage characteristics of buckled and puckered SbNRs consistent with their band structures. The currents of buckled and puckered SbNR devices via edge hydrogenation are nearly zero at low bias region, but the edge oxidation can enlarge the device's conductance obviously. More importantly, the tunable negative differential resistance behavior can be found in the buckled and puckered SbNR devices via edge oxidation. Our researches are of great significance for the subsequent application of SbNR devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the diversity of ship-radiated noise (SRN), audio segmentation is an essential procedure in the ship statuses/categories identification. However, the existing segmentation methods are not suitable for the SRN because of the lack of prior knowledge. In this paper, by a generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) test on the ordinal pattern distribution (OPD), we proposed a segmentation criterion and introduce it into single change-point detection (SCPD) and multiple change-points detection (MCPD) for SRN. The proposed method is free from the acoustic feature extraction and the corresponding probability distribution estimation. In addition, according to the sequential structure of ordinal patterns, the OPD is efficiently estimated on a series of analysis windows. By comparison with the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) based segmentation method, we evaluate the performance of the proposed method on both synthetic signals and real-world SRN. The segmentation results on synthetic signals show that the proposed method estimates the number and location of the change-points more accurately. The classification results on real-world SRN show that our method obtains more distinguishable segments, which verifies its effectiveness in SRN segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new Zn(Ⅱ) metal–organic framework, [Zn 3 (tib) 2 (BPT) 2 ·7H 2 O (ZZIT-1) [ZZIT-1 = Zhengzhou Institute of technology, tib = 1,3,5-tris(1-imidazolyl)benzene, H 3 BPT = biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid], has been synthesized and characterized. ZZIT-1 is a two-fold interpenetrating 3D framework structure. The gas/vapor adsorption behavior and luminescence of the complex have been studied. Notably, ZZIT-1 can selectively adsorb CO 2 over N 2 , and MeOH over EtOH, and these adsorption results have been corroborated by theoretical calculations. Most interestingly, ZZIT-1 shows unique selectivity for the detection of acetone through a fluorescence quenching mechanism in the solid state at room temperature. Image 1 • One new Zn(Ⅱ)-MOF with mixed organic ligands has been obtained. • The framework shows two-fold interpenetrating 3D framework structure. • Luminescence sensing and gas/vapor sorption properties of the framework were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrBeSi is the prototype of the ZrBeSi‐type of crystals, but its fundamental properties have not been well studied till now. In this work, a systematic study on the electronic, elastic, and vibrational properties of ZrBeSi under zero and high pressures has been performed by first‐principles calculation. Calculated electronic properties indicate that ZrBeSi is metallic dictated mainly by the Zr 4d state. Its metallicity weakens as the pressure increases. Studies reveal that sp2 hybridization exists in the Be atoms and their 2p orbitals accept electrons from the Zr atoms, leading them to have an unusual negative valency. Calculated elastic properties imply that ZrBeSi is mechanically stable but anisotropic up to 175 GPa. It has a bulk modulus of 144.4 (142.5) GPa deduced from the third‐order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (elastic constants) at 0 GPa. Its elastic moduli and elastic anisotropy increase with the rising pressure. Group theory analysis unveils that there are six infrared‐active and four Raman‐active modes at the Brillouin zone center of ZrBeSi. The vibrational patterns of these modes are presented and discussed. Studies further reveal that the frequencies of these modes increase with the rising pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) is a powerful PCR-based technique for determination of RNA terminal sequences. However, most of the RACE methods reported in the literature are developed specifically for the mapping of eukaryotic transcripts with 3′ poly-A tail and 5′ cap structure. In this study, an improved RACE strategy was developed which allows both 5′ and 3′ RACE of paramyxovirus genomic RNA using the same set of common molecular biology reagents without having to rely on expensive RACE kits. Mapping of RNA genome terminal sequences is an essential part of characterizing novel paramyxoviruses since these sequences contain important signals for genome replication and transcription, and are important molecular markers for studying virus evolution. The usefulness of this strategy was demonstrated by rapid characterization of both genome ends for a novel paramyxovirus recently isolated from human kidney primary cells. The RACE strategy described in this paper is simple, cost-effective and can be used to map genome ends of any RNA viruses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The gene transduction efficiency of adenovirus to hematopoietic cells, especially T lymphocytes, is needed to be improved. The purpose of this study is to improve the transduction efficiency of T lymphocytes by using fiber-modified human adenovirus 5 (HAdV-5) vectors. Results: Four fiber-modified human adenovirus 5 (HAdV-5) vectors were investigated to transduce hematopoietic cells. F35-EG or F11p-EG were HAdV-35 or HAdV-11p fiber pseudotyped HAdV-5, and HR-EG or CR-EG vectors were generated by incorporating RGD motif to the HI loop or to the C-terminus of F11p-EG fiber. All vectors could transduce more than 90% of K562 or Jurkat cells at an multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 500 viral particle per cell (vp/cell). All vectors except HR-EG could transduce nearly 90% cord blood CD34+ cells or 80% primary human T cells at the MOI of 1000, and F11p-EG showed slight superiority to F35-EG and CR-EG. Adenoviral vectors transduced CD4+ T cells a little more efficiently than they did to CD8+ T cells. These vectors showed no cytotoxicity at an MOI as high as 1000 vp/cell because the infected and uninfected T cells retained the same CD4/CD8 ratio and cell growth rate. Conclusions: HAdV-11p fiber pseudotyped HAdV-5 could effectively transduce human T cells when human EF1a promoter was used to control the expression of transgene, suggesting its possible application in T cell immunocellular therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed‐dimensional (0D, 1D, and 3D) heterostructures based on 2D layered materials have been proven as a promising candidate for future nanoelectronics and optoelectronics applications. In this work, it is demonstrated that 1D atomic chain based Se nanoplates (NPs) can be epitaxially grown on monolayer ReS2 by a chemical transport reaction, thereby creating an interesting mixed‐dimensional Se/ReS2 heterostructure. A unique epitaxial relationship is observed with the (110) planes of the Se NPs parallel to the corresponding ReS2 (010) planes. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the Se NPs could conjugate with underlying monolayer ReS2 via strong chemical hybridization at heterointerface, which is expected to originate from the intrinsic defects of ReS2. Remarkably, photodetectors based on Se/ReS2 heterostructures exhibit ultrahigh detectivity of up to 8 × 1012 Jones, and also show a fast response time of less than 10 ms. These results illustrate the great advantage of directly integrated 1D Se based nanostructure on planar semiconducting ReS2 films for optoelectronic applications. It opens up a feasible way to obtain mixed‐dimensional heterostructures with atomic interfacial contact by epitaxial growth. 1D atomic chain based Se nanoplates (NPs) are epitaxially grown on monolayer ReS2 to form an interesting mixed‐dimensional Se/ReS2 heterostructure. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the Se NPs are chemically hybridized with underlying monolayer ReS2 through intrinsic defects in ReS2. Photodetectors based on Se/ReS2 heterostructures exhibit ultrahigh detectivity and fast response time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluated the efficiency of corticosteroid, leflunomide and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of pediatric idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH).Methods: Ten patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of IPH was based on clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations and pulmonary hemosiderosis. Induction therapy consisted of methylprednisolone pulse therapy, followed by prednisone plus leflunomide. Maintenance therapy consisted of low-dose prednisone, leflunomide and administration of MSCs.Results: All the patients achieved complete response after treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 4-34 months). Moreover, administration of MSCs induced an increase in the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells but a decrease in the percentage of Th17 cells.Conclusion: Treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs for pediatric IPH was safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although the clinical importance of demonstrating the presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies is well established, less is known concerning the clinical utility of measuring the levels of autoantibodies. Two conformational epitopes of anti-GBM antibodies have been defined at residues 17–31 and 127–141 of the α3(IV)NC1 domain of type IV collagen [α3(IV)NC1], which were named as EA and EB, respectively. In order to elucidate the importance of such antibodies, we studied the levels and the epitope specificities of anti-GBM antibodies in a large cohort of Chinese patients with anti-GBM disease. Methods. All patients, with anti-GBM disease and available clinical data, diagnosed at Peking University First Hospital from 1996 to 2005 were included in the present study. Recombinant chimeric proteins containing previously defined epitope regions designated as EA and EB were used to detect anti-GBM antibodies by ELISA. Results were compared and correlated with clinical data collected at the time of diagnosis, biopsy findings and outcome after 1 year of follow-up. Results. A retrospective diagnosis of anti-GBM disease was made in 147 patients. Haemoptysis was recorded for 47% of these cases while 53.5% cases had oliguria or anuria at the time of diagnosis. Among these patients, the levels of anti-GBM antibodies correlated with serum creatinine at diagnosis (P < 0.05 for anti EA, EB and α3(IV)NC1). Oliguric patients had higher levels of autoantibodies than non-oliguric patients, however, the difference being statistically significant only for EB (P < 0.05). Renal biopsies were performed in 66 patients, and it was found that 50 (75.8%) had cresent formation in >85% of the glomeruli. There was a correlation between the percentage of crescents and levels of antibodies, but it was significant only for anti-EA antibodies (P < 0.05). Clinical data regarding the follow-up were available for 102 patients; at the end of 1 year, 88 (86.3%) were either dead or dialysis dependent. The absorbance values of anti-GBM antibodies against both EA and EB were also associated with the subsequent development, death or terminal renal insufficiency (P < 0.05). Conclusion. In this study, patients with high levels of circulating antibodies against the specific epitopes EA and EB had a more severe renal disease at diagnosis as well as a worse prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]