Increased expression of NLRP3 associated with elevated levels of HMGB1 in children with febrile seizures: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is an endogenous danger signal that mediates activation of the innate immune response including NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine release. Although HMGB1 and NLRP3 have been implicated in the pathophysiology of seizures, the correlation between HMGB1 and NLRP3 expression has not been determined in children with febrile seizures (FS). To explore the relationship between extra-cellular HMGB1 and NLRP3 in children with FS, we analyzed serum HMGB1, NLRP3, caspase-1, and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with FS. METHODS: Thirty children with FS and thirty age-matched febrile controls were included in this study. Blood was obtained from the children with FS within 1 h of the time of the seizure; subsequently, the serum contents of HMGB1, NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1ß, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Mann‒Whitney U test was used to compare serum cytokine levels between FS patients and controls. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to detect significant correlations between cytokine levels. RESULTS: Serum levels of HMGB1, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in FS patients than in febrile controls (p < 0.05). Serum levels of HMGB1 were significantly correlated with levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (both, p < 0.05). Serum levels of caspase-1 were significantly correlated with levels of IL-1ß (p < 0.05). Serum levels of IL-1ß were significantly correlated with levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1 is up-regulated in the peripheral serum of FS patients, which may be responsible, at least in part, for the increased expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1. Increased expression of caspase-1 was significantly associated with elevated serum levels of IL-1ß. Given that activated Caspase-1 directly regulates the expression of mature IL-1ß and positively correlates with activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, our data suggest that increased levels of peripheral HMGB1 possibly mediate IL-1ß secretion through the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in children with FS. Thus, both HMGB1 and NLRP3 might be potential targets for preventing or limiting FS.

Defect-engineered three-dimensional vanadium diselenide microflowers/nanosheets on carbon cloth by chemical vapor deposition for high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction.

In the past decades, defect engineering has become an effective strategy to significantly improve the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency of electrocatalysts. In this work, a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is firstly adopted to demonstrate defect engineering in high-efficiency HER electrocatalysts of vanadium diselenide nanostructures. For practical applications, the conductive substrate of carbon cloth (CC) is selected as the growth substrate. By using a four-time CVD method, uniform three-dimensional microflowers with defect-rich small nanosheets on the surface are prepared directly on the CC substrate, displaying a stable HER performance with a low Tafel slope value of 125 mV dec-1and low overpotential voltage of 295 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2in alkaline electrolyte. Based on the results of x-ray photoelectron spectra and density functional theory calculations, the impressive HER performance originates from the Se vacancy-related active sites of small nanosheets, while the microflower/nanosheet homoepitaxy structure facilitates the carrier flow between the active sites and conductive substrate. All the results present a new route to achieve defect engineering using the facile CVD technique, and pave a novel way to prepare high-activity layered electrocatalysts directly on a conductive substrate.

Surface-state-mediated interfacial charge dynamics between carbon dots and ZnO toward highly promoting photocatalytic activity.

Design of hybrid systems for photocatalytic application tends to be restricted by lacking interfacial coupling and fast charge recombination in the body competing with interface dynamics. In this work, the reduced carbon dots (rCDs) with numerous surface hydroxyl groups were deliberately anchored onto flower-like ZnO spheres with a highly exposed surface area to form heterointerfaces with sufficient interfacial electronic coupling. The incorporated rCDs evidently promote the light harvesting and charge separation of the binary hybrid system, resulting in highly enhanced photocatalytic Cr(VI) degradation performance. Ultrafast time-resolved spectra reveal that the surface C-OH bonds of rCDs play a crucial role at the heterointerfaces to regulate the charge dynamics. The long-lived surface C-OH states not only act as electron donors but also become electron mediators to rapidly capture the photoelectrons from the intrinsic state in the time-domain of 1 ps and induce a much longer lifetime for achieving highly efficient photoelectron injection from rCDs to ZnO. These results manifest that rCDs can be a promising photosensitizer to apply in photocatalytic pollutant treatment and energy conversion fields.

Uniform arrangement of gold nanoparticles on magnetic core particles with a metal-organic framework shell as a substrate for sensitive and reproducible SERS based assays: Application to the quantitation of Malachite Green and thiram.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) spheres acting as a core were evenly decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and coated with a shell of a metal organic framework (MOF) of type MIL-100(Fe). The resulting hybrid nanomaterial of type Fe3O4-Au@MIL-100(Fe) hybrid is shown to be a viable new SERS substrate. The integration of magnetic core, build-in plasmonic gold nanoparticles and a MOF shell endows the Fe3O4-Au@MIL-100(Fe) with highly efficient magnetic separation and enrichment ability, abundant interparticle hotspots, and significant chemical enhancement effect. This leads to a large enhancement, and greatly improved reproducibility of the SERS signals as shown for Malachite Green (MG) and the fungicide thiram. MG in solution can be quantified with a 50-fold lower detection limit (0.14 nM for peak at 1398 cm-1) and largely improved reproducibility (RSD = 9%, 1398 cm-1) when compared to the use of (a) AuNPs anchored on MIL-100(Fe) (RSD = 27%, 1186 cm-1), or (b) AuNPs embedded in MIL-100(Fe) (RSD = 36%, 1398 cm-1). The method was applied to the quantitation of MG and thiram in spiked water samples. The lower limits of detection are 4.4 nM for MG (1398 cm-1) and 15 nM for thiram (1380 cm-1), respectively, and signals' RSDs are 13% (1398 cm-1) and 5% (1380 cm-1) for MG and thiram, respectively. The substrate is recyclable. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of the preparation and SERS molecule sensing application of Fe3O4-Au@MIL-100(Fe) hybrid. PMMA: poly(methacrylic acid; BPEI: branched poly(ethyleneimine); BTC: 1,3,5-tricarboxybenzene.

Metal-Free Cataluminescence Gas Sensor for Hydrogen Sulfide Based on Its Catalytic Oxidation on Silicon Carbide Nanocages.

Cataluminescence- (CTL-) based sensors are among the most attractive and effective tools for gas sensing, owing to their efficient selectivity, high sensitivity, and rapidity. As the sensing materials of CTL-based sensors, metal-based catalysts easily bring about high costs and environmental pollution of heavy metals. More importantly, the long-term stability of metal-based catalysts is usually rather poor. Metal-free catalysts have unique advantages such as environmental friendliness, low costs, and long-term stability, making them promising materials for CTL-based sensors. Herein, we report the fabrication of a CTL sensor based on a metal-free catalyst. F-doped cage-like SiC was synthesized by wet chemical etching. The as-prepared products showed a rapid, stable, highly selective, and sensitive cataluminescent response to H2S. The stability of the sensor was demonstrated to be fairly good for at least 15 days. After CTL tests, F-doped cage-like SiC retained its original morphology, structure, and chemical composition. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a metal-free CTL sensor. Metal-free catalysts are environmentally friendly and low in cost and exhibit long-term stability, which could open a new avenue of CTL sensing.

Targeted Screening of Fiber Degrading Bacteria with Probiotic Function in Herbivore Feces.

Cellulolytic bacteria with probiotic functions play a crucial role in promoting the intestinal health in herbivores. In this study, we aimed to correlate the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and fiber-degrading enzyme activity data from six different herbivore feces samples. By utilizing the separation and screening steps of probiotics, we targeted and screened high-efficiency fiber-degrading bacteria with probiotic functions. The animals included Maiwa Yak (MY), Holstein cow (CC), Tibetan sheep (TS), Southern Sichuan black goat (SG), Sichuan white rex rabbit (CR), and New Zealand white rabbit (ZR). The results showed that the enzymes associated with fiber degradation were higher in goat and sheep feces compared to cattle and rabbit's feces. Correlation analysis revealed that Bacillus and Fibrobacter were positively correlated with five types of fiber-degrading related enzymes. Notably, the relative abundance of Bacillus in the feces of Tibetan sheep was significantly higher than that of other five herbivores. A strain TS5 with good cellulose decomposition ability from the feces of Tibetan sheep by Congored staining, filter paper decomposition test, and enzyme activity determination was isolated. The strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis by biological characteristics, biochemical analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To test the probiotic properties of Bacillus velezensis TS5, we evaluated its tolerance to acid and bile salt, production of digestive enzymes, antioxidants, antibacterial activity, and adhesion ability. The results showed that the strain had good tolerance to pH 2.0 and 0.3% bile salts, as well as good potential to produce cellulase, protease, amylase, and lipase. This strain also had good antioxidant capacity and the ability to antagonistic Staphylococcus aureus BJ216, Salmonella SC06, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli CVCC196, and Escherichia coli ATCC25922. More importantly, the strain had good self-aggregation and Caco-2 cell adhesion rate. In addition, we tested the safety of Bacillus velezensis TS5 by hemolysis test, antimicrobial susceptibility test, and acute toxicity test in mice. The results showed that the strain had no hemolytic phenotype, did not develop resistance to 19 commonly used antibiotics, had no cytotoxicity to Caco-2, and did not have acute toxic harm to mice. In summary, this study targeted isolated and screened a strain of Bacillus velezensis TS5 with high fiber-degrading ability and probiotic potency. This strain can be used as a potential probiotic for feeding microbial preparations for ruminants.

Multi-functional Potential of Five Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains Derived from Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

The multi-functional properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on host health have been a popular research topic. The aim of present study was to assess the multi-functional potential of five LAB strains isolated from giant panda. In this study, we analyzed five giant panda LAB strains (Weissella confuse WJ202003 (W3), WJ202009 (W9), WJ202021 (W21), BSP201703 (X3); Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BSGP201683 (G83)) and found that they exhibited rapid growth as well as strong acid production capacity. The five LAB strains possessed high cell surface hydrophobicity to the four tested solvents (xylene, hexadecane, chloroform, ethyl acetate; except strain W9), auto-aggregation ability, co-aggregation ability with three pathogens (Escherichia coli, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella), adhesion ability to Caco-2 cell line, and strongly biofilm formation ability, suggesting an adhesion property. As investigated for their antioxidative potential, all the strains showed good tolerance to H2O2, high scavenging ability against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and hydroxyl (OH-), and reduction ability. Furthermore, the five LAB strains could produce multiple probiotic substances, including exopolysaccharide (EPS), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), bile salt hydrolase (BSH), cellulase (only strain G83), and protease (except strain X3), which was the first to report the production of EPS, GABA, BSH, cellulase, and protease in giant panda-derived LAB strain. These results demonstrated that strains W3, W9, W21, X3, and G83 had multi-functional potential and could be utilized as potential probiotics for giant panda.

Giant barocaloric effects with a wide refrigeration temperature range in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers.

Solid-state cooling technology based on the caloric effects of phase-transition materials has been a research hotspot due to its environmental friendliness and high efficiency, but limited for practical applications due to its narrow working temperature region. Here, we report giant barocaloric effects based on pressure-driven liquid-solid phase transitions in elastic copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Giant adiabatic temperature changes of up to 29.6/-26.9 K are directly observed under rapid compressions/decompressions of 400 MPa near the liquid-solid phase transition points. Strikingly, since both the solid and the liquid sides can show giant barocaloric effects, a very broad refrigeration temperature region of more than 110 K is achieved in these copolymers. Furthermore, a cooling prototype is designed to demonstrate the potential applications of these liquid/elastic barocaloric materials. Our study sheds light on exploring liquid-solid phase transition materials for the next-generation refrigerators.

A novel, broad-spectrum antitumor compound containing the 1-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dien-4-one group: the disclosure of a new antitumor pharmacophore in protoapigenone 1.

The synthesis of a new compound 9 containing the 4-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one system, a key elements toward elucidation of the protoapigenone 1 antitumor pharmacophore, was described. The compound showed potent in vitro antitumor potency with low micromolar IC(50)'s against breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, pancreas, and blood cancer cell lines tested and could inhibit tumor growth in vivo but no significant impairment of hematopoiesis or immune function was observed. The minimum structural pharmacophore of 1 has now been refined.

Primary nursing intervention can improve the prognosis and postoperative quality of life of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage undergoing minimally invasive surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the role of primary nursing in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) undergoing minimally invasive surgery. METHODS: We randomly assigned 106 patients with HICH treated in our hospital to receive routine nursing (54 cases, group A) or primary nursing in addition to routine nursing (52 cases, group B). The scores of negative emotions, incidence of complications, quality of life, and prognosis of all patients were recorded. RESULTS: The score of negative emotions and the incidence of complications were lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). The scores of quality of life and prognosis were higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Primary nursing intervention can improve the prognosis and postoperative quality of life of patients with HICH undergoing minimally invasive surgery.

Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 improves intestinal environment against fluoride-induced memory impairment in mice-a study based on the gut-brain axis hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Excessive fluoride can lead to chronic neurodegeneration characterized by neuron and myelin loss and memory dysfunction. The gut-brain axis hypothesis suggests that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating brain function. Thus, using probiotics to adjust the gut microenvironment may be a potential therapy for mental diseases. METHODS: Mice in the prob group were administrated with Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 for 28 days prior to and throughout a 70-day exposure to sodium fluoride. The drinking water of all groups (F and prob groups) except the control group were replaced by high-fluoride water (100 mg NaF/L) on day 28. Animals in each group were divided into two subsets: one underwent behavioral test, and the other was sacrificed for sampling. The mRNA expression level and protein content related to inflammatory reaction in the ileum and hippocampus were respectively detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of proteins related to myelin structure, apoptosis, and memory in the hippocampus and tight junction proteins in the ileum were determined by RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry. Gut permeability markers (D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO)) in the serum were also examined by ELISA. RESULTS: The results showed that fluoride exposure induced a lower spontaneous exploration (P < 0.05) in T-maze test, which indicated an impairment of memory. Spontaneous exploration of BS15-treated mice was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in F group. Fluoride reduced (P < 0.05) levels of myelin structural protein (proteolipid protein) and neurogenesis-associated proteins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cAMP/Ca2+ responsive element-binding protein), induced disordered inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6; P < 0.05), increased pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3; P < 0.05), and decreased anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2; P < 0.05) in the hippocampus, of which the influences were reversed by BS15. BS15 treatment exerted significant preventive effects on reversing the gut inflammation induced by excessive fluoride intake by reducing (P < 0.05) the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)) and remarkably increasing (P < 0.05) the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). Moreover, the serum DAO activity and D-lactate concentration significantly increased by fluoride were also reduced (P < 0.05) by BS15. This result indicated the profitable effect of BS15 on gut permeability. CONCLUSION: L. johnsonii BS15 intake could benefit the neuroinflammation and demyelination in the hippocampus by improving the gut environment and ameliorating fluorine-induced memory dysfunction.

An efficient Co3S4/CoP hybrid catalyst for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

The development of efficient, universal and inexpensive electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is central to the area of sustainable energy conversion. Considering the Co-based sulfides/phosphides have the same catalytic mechanism with the hydrogenases occurring in nature. Here, a new catalyst based on Co3S4/CoP hybrid that is comprised entirely cheap and earthabundant elements, was first synthesized via a two-step method, the Co(CO3)0.5(OH)·0.11H2O precursor was prepared by a hydrothermal method, followed by phosphidation and sulphidation under Ar atmosphere simultaneously. The resulting Co3S4/CoP hybrid material possessed porous core-shell structure with a homogeneous element distribution and large electroactive surface area (~21.04 mF cm-2). More importantly, the nanostructured Co3S4/CoP electrode exhibits excellent HER properties in acid medium with a low onset overpotential of 34 mV, a small Tafel slope of 45 mV dec-1, as well as a large exchange current density of 150 µA cm-2. These results obtained in this study indicate that the Co3S4/CoP hybrid nanorod is promising replacement to the Pt-based catalysts for H2 production. Moreover, the synthetic method presented in this work can provide an efficient way to synthesis other nanocomposites.

MoS2-Based Mixed-Dimensional van der Waals Heterostructures: A New Platform for Excellent and Controllable Microwave-Absorption Performance.

It is widely recognized that constructing multiple interface structures for enhanced interface polarization is beneficial to microwave absorption. Here, we report our work of achieving excellent microwave-absorption performance and controlling better-defined interfaces in vertically stacked two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 with other dimensional building blocks. The optimal reflection loss and effective absorbing bandwidth (reflection loss <-10 dB) of several mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures are as follows: (i) for 2-0 type (2D MoS2/zero-dimensional Ni nanoparticles), -19.7 dB and 2.92 GHz; (ii) for 2-1 type (2D MoS2/one-dimensional carbon nanotubes), -47.9 dB and 5.60 GHz; and (iii) for 2-3 type (2D MoS2/three-dimensional carbon layers), -69.2 dB and 4.88 GHz. As a result, by selected synthesis of different types of microstructures, we can regulate and control microwave-absorption properties in MoS2 mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. In addition, attributing to the better-defined interfaces generated in mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures, we found an alternative strategy to improve microwave attenuation properties of 2-0, 2-1, and 2-3 samples by controlling interfacial contacts. The results indicate that mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures provide a new stage for the next generation of microwave-absorbing materials.