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Background: Extensive data suggest that exposure to cigarette smoke can induce pulmonary epithelial barrier dysfunction. However, the effects of cigarette smoke on the nasal epithelial barrier are still unclear. Here, we investigated the consequence and mechanism of cigarette smoke on the nasal epithelial barrier. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 or 6 months, and changes in inflammatory markers and nasal barrier function were evaluated. Moreover, underlying mechanisms were explored. Finally, normal human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured with or without tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in vitro, and the levels of continuity and tight junction–associated proteins were measured. Results: In vivo experiments showed that the nasal mucosal barrier function of rats exposed to cigarette smoke was disturbed. Indeed, proteins associated with tight junctions were decreased, and the levels of inflammatory factors, such as IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α, were dramatically increased in comparison to those of control animals. In vitro, TNF-α was shown to disrupt the continuity of proteins associated with tight junctions and to downregulate the expression of these proteins in bronchial epithelial cells. Conclusions: We found that cigarette smoke disrupted the nasal mucosal barrier, and the extent of the damage was correlated with the duration of cigarette smoke exposure. We showed that TNF-α can disrupt the continuity and attenuate the expression of tight junction proteins in human bronchial epithelial cells. Therefore, cigarette smoke may induce nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction through TNF-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employment of an amide-functionalized tetracarboxylic ligand 5,5′-(carbonylbis(azanediyl))-diisophthalic acid (H4cbab), a new polyhedral metal–organic framework (MOF) with the chemical formula of {[InZn2(cbda)2(H2O)2](NMF)3}n (1, NMF = N-methylformamide) has been synthesized under the solvothermal reaction condition. The structural feature was studied via the single crystal X-ray diffraction along with ultimate analysis. This as-prepared MOF shows excellent luminescence performance which can be able to detect Al3+ ions selectively. In aqueous solutions, the detection limitation for Al3+ ion is 0.56 µM, which is significantly below the highest standard of 7.41 µM for Al3+ ion in drinking water that is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The protective effect of compound against periodontitis was further explored. The viable cell counts (CFU) number was counted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of compound on bacterial growth. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried on in order to measure accurately the proportion of inflammatory cytokines in gingival fluid around the implant. The potential binding modes of the synthesized compounds as well as the targeted protein was explored by calculating docking with high accuracy as well as pose scoring process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel porous three-dimensional Co(II) organic framework of metal, [{Co2(TCPP)(H2O)}·DMF]n (1), (where H4TCPP = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrazine) was synthesized under the solvent thermal condition, consisting of a H4TCPP ligand which is rigid and tetratopic. Intriguingly, the centers of Co(II) coordinated water molecules can be dislodged via activating 1 under 120 °C, resulting in a pores skeleton arranged by Lewis acidic Co(II) ions which are unsaturated. Activated 1 has great activity of catalysis for without solvent cyanosilylation of acetaldehydes under mild conditions. To develop the candidates for the periodontal diseases therapy, the inhibitory effect of the compound on the growth curves of Porphyromonas gingivalis was evaluated. Next, the RT-PCR detection of rgp and kgp was conducted to explore the effect of compound on the key gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

None of the authors have responded to any further correspondence from the Publisher regarding this retraction note. Retraction Note: A Heterometallic MOF for Highly Selective Al3 + Ion Detection and Protective Effect Against Periodontitis by Reducing P. Gingivalis CFU and Inflammatory Cytokines Levels Further checks by the Publisher identified a number of irrelevant references, text overlap with an earlier article from different authors [[1]], and mismatch between the institution that approved the animal experiments and the authors' affiliation. [Extracted from the article]