RESUMEN
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in children. The most prevalent phenotype of asthma is eosinophilic asthma, which is driven by a Th2 immune response and can be effectively managed by inhaled corticosteroid therapy. However, there are phenotypes of asthma with Th17 immune response that are insensitive to corticosteroid therapy and manifest a more severe phenotype. The treatment of this corticosteroid-insensitive asthma is currently immature and requires further attention. The objective of this study is to elucidate the regulation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in Th17 cell differentiation in asthma. The study demonstrated that both Smo and Gli3, key components of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, were upregulated in Th17 polarization in vitro and in a Th17-dominant asthma model in vivo. Inhibiting Smo with a small molecule inhibitor or genetically knocking down Gli3 was found to suppress Th17 polarization. Smo was found to increase in Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg polarization, while Gli3 specifically increased in Th17 polarization. ChIP-qPCR analyses indicated that Gli3 can directly interact with IL-6 in T cells, inducing STAT3 phosphorylation and promoting Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a correlation between elevated Gli3 expression and IL-17A and IL-6 expression in children with asthma. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that the Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, as it regulates the differentiation of Th17 cells through the IL-6/STAT3 signaling. This may provide a potential therapeutic target for corticosteroid-insensitive asthma driven by Th17 cells.
Asunto(s)
Asma , Diferenciación Celular , Proteínas Hedgehog , Interleucina-6 , Factor de Transcripción STAT3 , Transducción de Señal , Células Th17 , Proteína Gli3 con Dedos de Zinc , Asma/inmunología , Asma/metabolismo , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Células Th17/inmunología , Factor de Transcripción STAT3/metabolismo , Animales , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Diferenciación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Hedgehog/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteína Gli3 con Dedos de Zinc/metabolismo , Proteína Gli3 con Dedos de Zinc/genética , Ratones , Niño , Masculino , Receptor Smoothened/metabolismo , Receptor Smoothened/genética , Femenino , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Células Cultivadas , Proteínas del Tejido NerviosoRESUMEN
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are one of the most promising candidates for electric energy storage devices due to their merits of low cost and high safety. However, the notorious side reactions and dendrite formation on zinc anodes impede the commercialization of ZIBs. In this work, a cheap and edible electrolyte additive sucrose is applied to address the above issues. Sucrose with hydroxyl groups can react as zincophilic sites to adsorb Zn2+. As verified by Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy, the solvation structure of Zn2+ and the hydrogen bonds can be regulated by the sucrose molecule. The weakened solvated structure of Zn2+ and lowered coupling degree between Zn2+ and SO42- can inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the generation of the sulfate by-product. Furthermore, a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)-like ion buffer layer is formed because of the preferentially adsorbed sucrose, which can increase the nucleation overpotential and equalize the ion distribution. The enriched Zn nucleation sites and inhibited 2D diffusion of Zn2+ resulting from the sucrose additive enable uniform Zn deposition. Thus, improved performances of symmetric Zn||Zn, asymmetric Zn||Cu and Zn||VO2 cells are realized. The Zn||Zn cell exhibits a highly reversible cycling performance for 1200 h and 400 h at 5 mA cm-2/1 mA h cm-2 and 10 mA cm-2/5 mA h cm-2, respectively. This work provides a readily available and edible additive to improve the performance of ZIBs.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to explore the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from Xuzhou, China by comparing them with healthy children. METHODS: Children with ASD who received rehabilitation training at special education schools and rehabilitation institutions in Xuzhou were selected as the ASD group, and healthy children during the same period were selected as the healthy non-ASD group. A questionnaire based on the possible causes and susceptibility factors of ASD in children was issued and given to all children in this study. RESULTS: The findings of the present study revealed a higher prevalence of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors in children with ASD compared with healthy children. There were significantly more males than females in the ASD group, and the proportion of boys to girls was 5.81:1 (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the risk factors of male children developing ASD were feeding difficulties, poor living environment during pregnancy, maternal exposure to cigarette smoking during pregnancy, and perinatal hypoxia. Factors associated with ASD risk among were identified, such as living environment during pregnancy, delivery method, feeding difficulties, and epilepsy (P<0.05). Feeding difficulties and living in the countryside during pregnancy might be risk factors for ASD in girls according to the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirmed the high prevalence of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors in children with ASD. Some of these factors may be effective entry points for the prevention and treatment of ASD.
RESUMEN
Transition-metal sulfides/selenides are explored as advanced electrode materials for nonaqueous sodium-ion capacitors, using FeS2- xSe x as an example. A solid solution of S/Se in FeS2- xSe x allows it to combine the high capacity of FeS2 and the good diffusion kinetics of FeSe2 together, thereby exhibiting excellent cycle stability (â¼220 mA h g-1 after 6000 cycles at 2 A g-1) and superior rate capability (â¼210 mA h g-1 at 40 A g-1) within 0.8-3.0 V. These results are much better than those of FeS2 and FeSe2, confirming the advantages of S/Se solid solution, as supported by EIS spectra, DFT calculations, and electronic conductivity. As FeS2- xSe x is paired with the activated carbon (AC) as Na-ion capacitors, this device is also better than sodium-ion batteries of FeS2- xSe x//Na3V2(PO4)3 and sodium-ion capacitors of metal oxides//AC, particularly at high rates. These results open a new door for the applications of sulfides/selenides in another device of electrochemical energy storage.
RESUMEN
Flower-like assembly of ultrathin nanosheets composed of anatase and bronze TiO2 embedded in carbon is successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction, followed with a high-temperature annealing. As an anode material in sodium-ion batteries, this composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances. It delivers a reversible capacity of 120 mA h g-1 over 6000 cycles at 10 C. Even at 100 C, there is still a capacity of 104 mA h g-1. Besides carbon matrix and hierarchical structure, abundant interfaces between anatase and bronze greatly enhance the performance by offering additional sites for reversible Na+ storage and improving the charge-transfer kinetics. The interface enhancements are confirmed by discharge/charge profiles, rate performances, electrochemical impedance spectra, and first-principle calculations. These results offer a new pathway to upgrade the performances of anode materials in sodium-ion batteries.
RESUMEN
Amorphous Si (a-Si) shows potential advantages over crystalline Si (c-Si) in lithium-ion batteries, owing to its high lithiation potential and good tolerance to intrinsic strain/stress. Herein, porous a-Si has been synthesized by a simple process, without the uses of dangerous or expensive reagents, sophisticated equipment, and strong acids that potential cause environment risks. These porous a-Si particles exhibit excellent electrochemical performances, owing to their porous structure, amorphous nature, and surface modification. They deliver a capacity of 1025â mAh g-1 at 3â A g-1 after 700â cycles. Moreover, the reversible capacity after electrochemical activation, is quite stable throughout the cycling, resulting in a capacity retention about around 88 %. The direct comparison between a-Si and c-Si anodes clearly supports the advantages of a-Si in lithium-ion batteries.