Electroactive nanofibrous membrane with antibacterial and deodorizing properties for air filtration.

Water vapor from respiration can severely accelerate the charge dissipation of the face mask, reducing filtration efficiency. Moreover, the foul odor from prolonged mask wear tends to make people remove their masks, leading to the risk of infection. In this study, an electro-blown spinning electroactive nanofibrous membrane (Zn/CB@PAN) with antibacterial and deodorization properties was prepared by adding zinc (Zn) and carbon black (CB) nanoparticles to the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, respectively. The filtration efficiency of Zn/CB@PAN for PM0.3 was > 99% and could still maintain excellent durability within 4 h in a high-humidity environment (25 â„ƒ and RH = 95%). Moreover, the bacterial interception rate of the Zn/CB@PAN could reach 99.99%, and it can kill intercepted bacteria. In addition, the deodorization rate of Zn/CB@PAN in the moist state for acetic acid was 93.75% and ammonia was 95.23%, respectively. The excellent filtering, antibacterial, and deodorizing performance of Zn/CB@PAN can be attributed to the synergistic effect of breath-induced Zn/CB galvanic couples' electroactivity, released metal ions, and generated reactive oxygen species. The developed Zn/CB@PAN could capture and kill airborne environmental pathogens under humid environments and deodorize odors from prolonged wear, holding promise for broad applications as personal protective masks.

Systematic analysis and expression of Gossypium 2ODD superfamily highlight the roles of GhLDOXs responding to alkali and other abiotic stress in cotton.

BACKGROUND: 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2ODD) is the second largest family of oxidases involved in various oxygenation/hydroxylation reactions in plants. Many members in the family regulate gene transcription, nucleic acid modification/repair and secondary metabolic synthesis. The 2ODD family genes also function in the formation of abundant flavonoids during anthocyanin synthesis, thereby modulating plant development and response to diverse stresses. RESULTS: Totally, 379, 336, 205, and 204 2ODD genes were identified in G. barbadense (Gb), G. hirsutum (Gh), G. arboreum (Ga), and G. raimondii (Gb), respectively. The 336 2ODDs in G. hirsutum were divided into 15 subfamilies according to their putative functions. The structural features and functions of the 2ODD members in the same subfamily were similar and evolutionarily conserved. Tandem duplications and segmental duplications served essential roles in the large-scale expansion of the cotton 2ODD family. Ka/Ks values for most of the gene pairs were less than 1, indicating that 2ODD genes undergo strong purifying selection during evolution. Gh2ODDs might act in cotton responses to different abiotic stresses. GhLDOX3 and GhLDOX7, two members of the GhLDOX subfamily from Gh2ODDs, were significantly down-regulated in transcription under alkaline stress. Moreover, the expression of GhLDOX3 in leaves was significantly higher than that in other tissues. These results will provide valuable information for further understanding the evolution mechanisms and functions of the cotton 2ODD genes in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Genome-wide identification, structure, and evolution and expression analysis of 2ODD genes in Gossypium were carried out. The 2ODDs were highly conserved during evolutionary. Most Gh2ODDs were involved in the regulation of cotton responses to multiple abiotic stresses including salt, drought, hot, cold and alkali.

Systematic identification of TPS genes in Gossypium and their characteristics in response to flooding stress.

Terpene synthases (TPS) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of plant terpenoids. Studies on TPSs have not been reported in Gossypium barbadense and Gossypium arboreum. 260 TPSs were identified in Gossypium, including 71 in Gossypium hirsutum, 75 in Gossypium. barbadense, 60 in Gossypium. arboreum, and 54 in Gossypium raimondii. We systematically analyzed the TPS gene family of Gossypium from three aspects: gene structure, evolutionary process and gene function. (1) Gene structure: Based on the protein structure of two conserved domains (PF01397 and PF03936), the TPS gene family is divided into five clades: TPS -a, -b, -c, -e/f and -g. (2) Evolution: Whole genome duplication and segmental duplication are the main modes of TPS gene amplification. (3) Function: The abundance of cis-acting elements may reveal the functional diversity of TPSs in cotton. TPS gene has tissue specific expression in cotton. The hypomethylation of the exon of TPSs may help to enhance the adaptability of cotton to flooding stress. In conclusion, this study can broaden the understanding of structure-evolution-function of the TPS gene family, and provide reference for the mining and verification of new genes.

Genome-wide identification of GAD family genes suggests GhGAD6 functionally respond to Cd2+ stress in cotton.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) mainly regulated the biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and played an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. To explore the potential function of GAD in cotton growth, the genome-wide identification, structure, and expression analysis of GAD genes were performed in this study. There were 10, 9, 5, and 5 GAD genes identified in G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii, respectively. GAD was divided into four clades according to the protein motif composition, gene structure, and phylogenetic relationship. The segmental duplication was the main way of the GAD gene family evolution. Most GhGADs respond to abiotic stress. Clade Ⅲ GAD was induced by Cd2+ stress, especially GhGAD6, and silencing GhGAD6 would lead to more serious Cd2+ poisoning in cotton. The oxidative damage caused by Cd2+ stress was relieved by increasing the GABA content. It was speculated that the decreased expression of GhGAD6 reduced the content of GABA in vivo and caused the accumulation of ROS. This study will further expand our understanding of the relationship between the evolution and function of the GhGAD gene family and provide new genetic resources for cotton breeding under environmental stress and phytoremediation.

Associations of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 levels in peripheral blood with lung function, cellular immune function, and quality of life in children with moderate-to-severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric asthma has gained increasing concerns with poorly understood pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-12 levels in peripheral blood (PB) with lung function, cellular immune function, and children's quality of life (QOL) with moderate-to-severe asthma. METHODS: A total of 1158 children with moderate-to-severe asthma (the experimental group) and 1075 healthy children (the control group) were recruited for our study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 levels. T lymphocytes were detected by alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase, and erythrocyte immune was measured by red blood cell C 3b receptor (RBC-C3bR) rosette-forming test. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were detected, after which FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) was calculated before and after treatment. PedsQL3.0 was used to measure the effect of asthma on QOL of children, and the correlation between IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 levels and the lung function and QOL was measured. Logistic regression analysis was applied to detect related factors of moderate-to-severe asthma of children. RESULTS: After treatment, the decreased IL-4 and IL-6 levels and increased IL-12 level were revealed in the experimental group. The cellular immune function's disorder was significantly decreased, and an elevated CD3, CD4, CD8, and declined CD4/CD8 level was performed in T lymphocytes. RBC-C3bR was increased, and red blood cell immune complex (RBC-IC) was reduced in erythrocyte immune in comparison with those before treatment. Lung function parameters all increased. After treatment, the symptoms of asthma in children reduced with scores of increased QOL. IL-4 was positively related to RBC-IC, but negatively associated with the QOL score. IL-6 showed negative connection with CD4/CD8, RBC-C3bR, FEV1/FVC, and QOL score, and had positive connection with PEF. In addition, IL-12 was negatively correlated with PEF. The levels of IL-4, RBC-C3bR, FEV1/FVC, and PEF were independent risk factors for the prognosis of treatment for children with moderate-to-severe asthma. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 levels in PB were associated with lung function, cellular immune function, and QOL in children with moderate-to-severe asthma.

[Argon plasma coagulation combined with cryotherapy via bronchoscopy for the treatment of one child with severe post-intubation tracheal stenosis and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short term effect of argon plasma coagulation (APC) combined with cryotherapy via bronchoscopy for treatment of severe post-intubation tracheal stenosis in a child. METHOD: A 3-year old boy was admitted for cephalothorax abdominal compound trauma and dyspnea, who had severe post-incubation tracheal stenosis. The agreement about the operation risk was signed by the parents. Endotracheal APC procedure was performed with a bronchoscope under general anesthesia. The APC probe was put into the working channel of the bronchoscope. The stenotic lesion was endoscopically visualized and then coagulated by argon plasma. Such coagulation was carried out several times at the stenotic site until it gradually became dilated. The devitalized tissue was mechanically removed with grasping forceps. Thereafter, bronchoscopic cryosurgery was repeatedly performed at the stenotic site. Clinical symptoms, signs and bronchoscopic manifestations were observed right after operation, after 1 day, 10 days, 1 month and 6 months separately. RESULT: Tracheal tissue hyperplasia and cyanosis disappeared, laryngeal stridor and dyspnea improved obviously right after the operation. General condition of the patient was well, there was no laryngeal stridor and dyspnea 10 days after operation. The mucosa of the surgical site was smooth and no tracheostenosis was seen under bronchoscope at 1 month and 6 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Argon plasma coagulation combined with cryotherapy via bronchoscope is an effective method to treat tracheal stenosis of children, which needs further exploration for the application.

Enzyme-based molecular imprinting with metals.

Aromatic monomers with various functional groups were utilized in horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization reactions with metal ions Cu(II), Ni(II), and Fe(III) as imprinting templates. The approach described combines molecular imprinting with enzymatic free radical coupling. Selectivity in metal ion affinity between the various polymer products was assessed and found to depend on the metal used in the imprinting process using aniline, tyramine, and phenol as monomers. Selectivity in binding metals was found when polymers imprinted with copper, nickel, or iron were screened against the three metals, with preference for the metal used in the imprinting step. A model for the structural features of the putative imprinted polymers is proposed based on electron paramagnetic resonance, NMR, and IR analysis. Specific potential benefits to this imprinting method include reactivity with a wide range of aromatic monomers to provide more diverse options for molecular recognition with the target analyte and thus polymer products with higher selectivity, mild reaction conditions for the enzyme polymerization step to enable imprinting against labile substrates, imprinted polymeric products that contain conjugated backbones that could be suitable for electronics-based biosensor applications, and a potential for combinatorial selection to further enhance specificity.