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Diolefin elastomers play an important role in production and life, but their unsaturated structure leads to extreme vulnerability to heat and oxygen attack, so research into the aging of diolefin elastomers has been a hot spot in the industry. To overcome this limitation, a strategy based on the thermal decomposition of 1,1′-Azobis(cyclohexanezonitrile) (Azo) is devised, which forms stabilized compounds with imine groups during the heat process and captures radical. The diolefin elastomer was combined with azo, and isoprene rubber (IR) is chosen as a model material. Azo was added to IR to prepare the composite material (IR-Azo), and the thermo-oxidative resistance of the composite was significantly improved. Such as, after being exposed to thermo-oxidative conditions for 24 h, IR-Azo showed a tensile strength of 14.96 MPa with a retention rate of 68.25% which exceeded that of many traditional antioxidants. This study provides new insights into the development of elastomers with excellent thermo-oxidative resistance.

Abstract Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute and progressive hypoxic respiratory failure that could progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with a high mortality rate, thus immediate medical attention and supportive care are necessary. The pathophysiology of ALI is characterized by the disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier and activation of neutrophils, leading to lung tissue damage. The receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases, but the role of RIPK1 in the ALI remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to figure out the pathological role of RIPK1 in ALI, especially in the pulmonary immune microenvironment involving neutrophils and endothelial cells. In vivo experiments showed that RIPK1 inhibitor protected against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in mouse models, with reduced neutrophils and monocytes infiltration in the lungs. Further studies demonstrated that, besides the inhibitory action on necroptosis, RIPK1 inhibitor directly suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammatory cytokines secretion from neutrophils. Furthermore, RIPK1 inhibition maintains the barrier function in TNF-α-primed vascular endothelial cells and prevents their activation induced by the supernatant from LPS-stimulated neutrophils. Mechanistically, the aforementioned effects of RIPK1 inhibitor are associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is partially independent of necroptosis inhibition. These results provide new evidence that RIPK1 inhibitor directly regulates the function of neutrophils and endothelial cells, as well as interferes with the interactions between these two cell types, therefore contributing to a better understanding of RIPK1 in ALI and providing a potential avenue for future therapeutic interventions.

Abstract Background Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis. The diagnosis of SBP is still mostly based on ascites cultures and absolute ascites polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count, which restricts the widely application in clinical settings. This study aimed to identify reliable and easy-to-use biomarkers for both diagnosis and prognosis of cirrhotic patients with SBP. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including 413 cirrhotic patients from March 2013 to July 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. Patients’ clinical characteristics and laboratory indices were collected and analyzed. Two machine learning methods (Xgboost and LASSO algorithms) and a logistic regression analysis were adopted to screen and validate the indices associated with the risk of SBP. A predictive model was constructed and validated using the estimated area under curve (AUC). The indices related to the survival of cirrhotic patients were also analyzed. Results A total of 413 cirrhotic patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 329 were decompensated and 84 were compensated. 52 patients complicated and patients with SBP had a poorer Child–Pugh score (P

[Objective] The spatial and temporal distribution pattern of carbon storage at Wuhu City, Anhui Province from 2011 to 2021 were analyzed, and the influence of ecological environmental factors, topographic factors, meteorological factors, and land use degree on carbon sequestration capacity were determined in order to provide a reference for land resource management and green agricultural development at Wuhu City. [Methods] The carbon storage module of the InVEST model was used to quantitatively determine the spatial distribution of carbon storage, to explore the effects of land use degree, topography, meteorology, soil erosion, and other factors, and to calculate the hot spots of carbon storage based on correlation analysis superposition using land use data from 2011, 2015, and 2021 at Wuhu City. [Results] ① Carbon storage at Wuhu City has declined by 4.15×105 t in recent years due to land use changes, with an annually decreasing trend. The carbon sequestration capacity of grassland was lower than that of cultivated land. The carbon storage capacity of cultivated land was 7.41×106 t, while that of forest land was 5 489.01 t/km2. ② Land use type, elevation, slope, and land use degree were the most important natural factors determining the spatial distribution of carbon stocks, which increased gradually step by step with altitude and slope. The overall distribution of carbon stocks was “lower in the north and higher in the south.” ③ Carbon storage and soil conservation were significantly and positively associated, mutually reinforcing, and synergistic among ecological and environmental variables; yet, there was a trade-off with soil erosion. ④ Carbon storage in the south showed a pattern of “high-high accumulation”, accounting for 18.77% of the total carbon accumulation, whereas carbon storage in the north showed a pattern of low-low accumulation, accounting for just 2.73% of the total carbon accumulation. The hotspots of carbon storage declined over time as a result of the effect of resource development and usage, with 11.95% of the area classified as excellent concentrated in the southern mountain forest. Certain areas were found to be vulnerable and will need to be conserved and optimized. [Conclusion] From 2011 to 2021, the total amount of carbon sequestration at Wuhu City decreased year by year, and the carbon sequestration rate showed a trend of weakening over time, while carbon sequestration capacity was relatively stable. Carbon sequestration capacity in the northern part of Wuhu City was relatively weak, and could be increased through land management optimization.

Redox cycling of iron plays a pivotal role in both nutrient acquisition by living organisms and the geochemical cycling of elements in aquatic environments. In nature, iron cycling is mediated by microbial Fe(II)-oxidizers and Fe(III)-reducers or through the interplay of biotic and abiotic iron transformation processes. Here, we unveil a specific iron cycling process driven by one single phototrophic species, Rhodobacter ferrooxidans SW2. It exhibits the capability to reduce Fe(III) during bacterial cultivation. A c-type cytochrome is identified with Fe(III)-reducing activity, implying the linkage of Fe(III) reduction with the electron transport system. R. ferrooxidans SW2 can mediate iron redox transformation, depending on the availability of light and/or organic substrates. Iron cycling driven by anoxygenic photoferrotrophs is proposed to exist worldwide in modern and ancient environments. Our work not only enriches the theoretical basis of iron cycling in nature but also implies multiple roles of anoxygenic photoferrotrophs in iron transformation processes.

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. House dust mite (HDM) is associated with immune inflammation in the body. This study is designed to identify the association between HDM and UC clinical symptoms. UC patients (n = 86) and non-UC control (NC) subjects (n = 64) were recruited. Colon lavage fluids (CLF) were collected from HDM skin prick test positive patients during colonoscopy, and analyzed by immunological approaches. HDM was detected in fecal samples, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. HDM-specific eosinophils and Th2 cells were detected in CLF, which could be specifically activated by exposing to HDM in the culture. Direct exposure to HDM induced eosinophil activation in the colon of UC patients. UC patients displayed elevated levels of Th2 cytokines in the serum. UC clinical symptom scores were positively correlated with serum levels of Th2 cytokines. HDM was detected in UC patients’ stools, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. Direct exposure to HDM could trigger eosinophilic activation of the colon.

ObjectiveTo describe the occurrence and dynamic changes of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in infected people. MethodsRelevant studies published up to July 2021 were retrieved through systematically searching on PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database. Excle 2016 and SPSS 25.0 were used in data collection and analysis. ResultsFrom the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms, the median time of seroconversion was 8 days (the minimum – the maximum: 1 – 28 days) for immunoglobulin M (IgM), 10 days (0 – 29 days) for IgG, 7 days (1 – 13 days) for IgA, and 9 days (1 – 25.5 days) for neutralizing antibody; the median time of peak antibody titer was 16.5 days (10 – 30 days) for IgM, 21 days (15 – 30 days) for IgG, 21 days (15 – 30 days) for IgA, and 24 days (10 – 45 days) for neutralizing antibody; and the median persistent time of antibody was 63 days (60 – 84 days) for IgM, 105 days (42 – 365 days) for IgG, 41 days (30 – 100 days) for IgA, and 101 days (65 – 270 days) for neutralizing antibody, respectively. ConclusionAmong seroconversions of specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in infected persons, IgA occurred first but with the shortest persistent duration, while IgG occurred latest but with the longest persistent duration; the serum titer of IgM peaked first, but that of neutralizing antibody the latest. The duration of serum IgM positive of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was shorter than that of patients with SARS-CoV infection. Meanwhile, the durations of serum positive for IgG and neutralizing antibody in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were shorter than those in the patients with SARS-CoV or Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

Background: Pediatric septic shock is a critical condition associated with high mortality rates, largely due to sepsis-induced immunosuppression. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been explored as a therapeutic intervention to counteract this immunosuppression. Despite its potential, the efficacy of GM-CSF in pediatric septic shock has not been clearly established. This study aims to investigate the impact of GM-CSF administration on survival rates and to identify key predictors of treatment outcomes in pediatric septic shock patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023. The study included pediatric patients diagnosed with septic shock, analyzing their demographic data, GM-CSF and adjunctive therapies, laboratory results, and clinical outcomes. We employed univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to assess the influence of GM-CSF on 28-day mortality and identify significant predictors of treatment outcomes. Results: The study included 200 pediatric patients, with 66 receiving GM-CSF treatment and 134 not treated with GM-CSF. The initial comparison showed a higher 28-day mortality in the GM-CSF group (59.1%) compared to the non-GM-CSF group (35.1%, P = 0.001). Notably, after adjustment for confounding factors, multivariate analysis revealed that the effect of GM-CSF treatment on 28-day mortality among pediatric septic shock patients did not reach statistical significance, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.472 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.153 to 1.457 (P = 0.192). However, the analysis indicated a potential trend suggesting that GM-CSF treatment may contribute to a reduction in 28-day mortality. In addition, significant predictors of treatment outcomes included hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), lactic acid (LAC) levels, hospital-acquired septic shock (HASS), red blood cell (RBC) count, and platelet (PLT) count. Conclusions: GM-CSF treatment may benefit pediatric septic shock patients, especially those with higher lactic acid, and lower RBC and platelet counts. These factors, which are significant predictors of outcomes, should be monitored during therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, continues to pose a major public health threat in East Asia, with an estimated 71 million people at risk of infection. Domestic animals, especially buffaloes and goats, serve as important reservoir hosts, facilitating the transmission of the parasite to humans. While praziquantel (PZQ) is the first-line treatment for schistosomiasis due to its broad-spectrum efficacy against adult schistosomes, its prophylactic potential is less explored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PZQ in preventing S. japonicum infection in buffaloes and goats via assessing worm burden, worm size, hematological changes, and immune modulation. In the present study, buffaloes and goats were pretreated with PZQ at various doses (7–25 mg/kg body weight), followed by infection with S. japonicum cercariae. The results showed significant reductions in total worm burden and female worm burden, with one oral administration at 13 mg/kg for buffaloes and one injection at 25 mg/kg for goats offering the most robust protection. Worm length was also significantly reduced in both buffaloes and goats, indicating that PZQ not only prevented infection in this study but also inhibited worm growth. Furthermore, PZQ pretreatment modulated immune responses, as evidenced by increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in buffaloes and Lym% in goats. These findings suggest that PZQ has significant prophylactic potential in livestock, offering a practical solution for reducing schistosome transmission from animals to humans in endemic regions. Additionally, this study indicates that PZQ pretreatment does not contribute to resistance development, as newly established infections are effectively cleared during the initial treatment window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperoxia-induced brain injury is a severe neurological complication that is often accompanied by adverse long-term prognosis. The pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced brain injury is highly complex, with neuroinflammation playing a crucial role. The activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which plays a pivotal role in regulating and amplifying the inflammatory response, is the pathological core of hyperoxia-induced brain injury. Additionally, astrocytes actively participate in neuroinflammatory responses. However, there is currently no comprehensive overview summarizing the role of astrocytes in hyperoxia-induced brain injury and the NLRP3 signaling pathways in astrocytes. Objective: This article aims to provide an overview of studies reported in the literature investigating the pathological role of astrocyte involvement during the inflammatory response in hyperoxia-induced brain injury, the mechanisms of hyperoxia activateing the NLRP3 inflammasome to mediate pyroptosis in astrocytes, and the potential therapeutic effects of drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome to alleviate hyperoxia-induced brain injury. Method: We searched major databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, etc.) for literature encompassing astrocytes, NLRP3 inflammasome, and pyroptosis during hyperoxia-induced brain injury up to Oct 2024. We combined with studies found in the reference lists of the included studies. Conclusion: In this study, we elucidated the transition of function in astrocytes and activation mechanisms under hyperoxic conditions, and we summarized the potential upstream of the trigger involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation during hyperoxia-induced brain injury, such as ROS and potassium efflux. Furthermore, we described the signaling pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis executed by GSDMD and GSDME in astrocytes under hyperoxic conditions. Finally, we summarized the inhibitors targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in astrocytes to provide new insights for treating hyperoxia-induced brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysfunctional immune regulation contributes to the pathogenesis of food allergy (FA). The mechanism behind regulatory B‐cell dysfunction is unclear. CpG has immune regulatory functions. The purpose of this study is to use CpG to recover the immune suppressive functions of B cells in mice with FA. An FA mouse model was created using ovalbumin as the specific antigen. Flow cytometry was used to isolate B cells from the intestinal tissues. The immune regulatory functions of B cells were assessed using immunological approaches. The results showed that the FA response was linked to low IL‐10 levels in gut lavage fluids of FA mice. FA mouse intestinal B cells produced lower amounts of IL‐10 as compared with B cells isolated from naïve control mice. Impaired immune suppressive functions were observed in B cells isolated from the FA mouse intestine. The inducibility of the Il10 expression in naïve B cells of the intestine of FA mice was defective. The induction of Il10 expression in FA B cells could be restored by CpG through regulating the methylation status of the Cmip promoter. CpG promoted the therapeutic efficacy of allergen specific immunotherapy by restoring the induction of IL‐10+ B cells in the intestine. The expression of Il10 in B cells of the FA mouse intestine was impaired. Administration of CpG could restore the expression of Il10 in B cells in the intestine and promote immunotherapy for FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of organic micropollutants from water through advanced oxidation processes is hampered by the excessive input of energy and/or chemicals as well as the large amounts of residuals resulting from incomplete mineralization. Here the authors present a new alternative water purification technology to adsorption and advanced oxidation.

Abstract As metagenomic approaches for detecting infectious agents have improved, each tissue that was once thought to be sterile has been found to harbor a variety of microorganisms. Controversy still exists over the status of amniotic fluid, which is part of an immunologically privileged zone that is required to prevent maternal immune system rejection of the fetus. Due to this privilege, the exclusion of microbes has been proposed to be mandatory, leading to the sterile womb hypothesis. Since nucleic acid yields from amniotic fluid are very low, contaminating nucleic acid found in water, reagents and the laboratory environment frequently confound attempts to address this hypothesis. Here we present metagenomic criteria for microorganism detection and a metagenomic method able to be performed with small volumes of starting material, while controlling for exogenous contamination, to circumvent these and other pitfalls. We use this method to show that human mid-gestational amniotic fluid has no detectable virome or microbiome, supporting the sterile womb hypothesis.

Abstract. Traditional Kampo medicine is based on traditional Chinese medicine, which spread to Japan via the Korean Peninsula in the 5th century. The practice of Kampo developed gradually under the influence of local Japanese culture and prospered until the Meiji Restoration. Kampo appeared in schools successively, such as the School of Later Developments, the School of Classic Methods, the School of Textual Research, and the Integrated School. However, the practice of Kampo gradually declined after the Meiji Restoration. Today, through the continuous efforts of knowledgeable Japanese Kampo practitioners, the practice of Kampo has entered a new era as an indispensable aspect of contemporary Japanese medicine.