Metal-Coordinated Covalent Organic Frameworks as Advanced Bifunctional Hosts for Both Sulfur Cathodes and Lithium Anodes in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The shuttling of polysulfides on the cathode and the uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites on the anode have restricted the practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. In this study, a metal-coordinated 3D covalent organic framework (COF) with a homogeneous distribution of nickel-bis(dithiolene) and N-rich triazine centers (namely, NiS4-TAPT) was designed and synthesized, which can serve as bifunctional hosts for both sulfur cathodes and lithium anodes in Li-S batteries. The abundant Ni centers and N-sites in NiS4-TAPT can greatly enhance the adsorption and conversion of the polysulfides. Meanwhile, the presence of Ni-bis(dithiolene) centers enables uniform Li nucleation at the Li anode, thereby suppressing the growth of Li dendrites. This work demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating catalytic and adsorption sites to optimize the chemical interactions between host materials and redox-active intermediates, potentially facilitating the rational design of metal-coordinated COF materials for high-performance secondary batteries.

Immune Cell Alterations and PI3K-PKB Pathway Suppression in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Undergoing Sublingual Immunotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Our prior clinical study assessed the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with standardized Dermatophagoides farina drops on patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) while analyzing the characteristics of adverse reactions. This study was conducted to evaluate the immune cell composition alterations in AR patients before and after SLIT, and to comprehensively investigate the role and changes of antigen-specific immune cells associated with treatment efficacy. METHODS: A total of 68 AR patients who completed 12 months of SLIT were included in the study. Before the trial's initiation and after 1 year of SLIT, 10 ml of venous blood was collected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using the Ficoll gradient method. The mRNA transcriptome was analyzed using an Affymetrix microarray. The proportions of 22 immune cell types were calculated via the CIBERSORTx platform. Correlations between each immune cell type and SLIT were analyzed. PI3K-PKB pathway dysregulation were analyzed using quantitative PCR and Western blot. Flow cytometry was utilized to assess the percentages of Th1 and Th2 cells. RESULTS: Mono-sensitized AR patients exhibited marked increases in plasma cells, activated memory T cells, regulatory T cells, and activated dendritic cells, while experiencing decreased neutrophils and resting dendritic cells. In poly-sensitized AR patients, the most notable change was an increase in regulatory T cells, coupled with decreased T follicular helper cells, resting dendritic cells, and activated mast cells. These findings indicated that SLIT reshaped immune cell profiles in AR patients, and, notably, the specific changes differed between mono-sensitized and poly-sensitized individuals. Furthermore, SLIT appeared to shift the immune response towards a Th2 decrease profile in both groups. Importantly, suppression of the PI3K-PKB pathway was evidenced as inhibition of PKB phosphorylation and the decrease of glycogen synthase kinase 3 ß (GSKß) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression after SLIT. CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated that SLIT treatment led to distinct changes in immune cell profiles between mono-sensitized and poly-sensitized AR patients. Furthermore, SLIT appeared to reduce a Th2 immune response, highlighting its efficacy in AR treatment. Importantly, the study revealed the suppression of the PI3K-PKB pathway, shedding light on the immunological mechanisms underlying SLIT's effectiveness.

Increased Nasal Blimp1 + Treg Cells After Sublingual Immunotherapy Reflect the Efficacy of Treatment in Allergic Rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) plays a pivotal role in altering the immune status and tissue responses in allergic rhinitis (AR). This study focuses on the impact of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) involving dust mite drops, exploring the modulation of regulatory T cells (Treg) and their specific marker, BLIMP1, in the nasal mucosa. METHODS: Immune cells were isolated from nasal lavage fluid of patients with AR undergoing SLIT (n = 94). Treg cells were analyzed for BLIMP1 expression, and chemokine levels associated with Treg recruitment were assessed using Luminex assay. Patients were categorized on the basis of SLIT efficacy and followed for changes after discontinuation. RESULTS: SLIT induced a significant increase in nasal Treg cells (7.09 ± 2.59% vs. 0.75 ± 0.27%, P < 0.0001). BLIMP1 expression in Treg cells notably increased after SLIT (0.36 ± 0.22% to 16.86 ± 5.74%, P < 0.0001). Ineffective SLIT cases exhibited lower levels of nasal Treg and Blimp1 + Treg cells (both P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis confirmed their potential as efficacy predictors (AUC = 0.908 and 0.968, respectively). SLIT discontinuation led to a significant reduction in Treg and Blimp1 + Treg cells (P < 0.001), emphasizing their maintenance during treatment. Pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased (P < 0.001), while CCL2 associated with Treg recruitment increased (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: Elevated nasal Blimp1 + Treg cells serve as a predictive biomarker for SLIT responsiveness in pediatric AR. Their influence on immunotherapy effectiveness contributes to a nuanced understanding of SLIT mechanisms, allowing for disease stratification and personalized treatment plans. This study offers scientific support for predicting SLIT efficacy, enhancing the prospects of improved treatment outcomes in AR.

Multicenter study of seasonal and regional airborne allergens in Chinese preschoolers with allergic rhinitis.

This study is nationwide multicenter epidemiological research, aimed at investigating the distribution changes and seasonal patterns of various airborne allergens among preschool children with allergic rhinitis (AR) in different regions of China, and analyzing the clinical correlation between sensitization to various airborne allergens and AR symptoms in children. Information on children was collected through standard questionnaires, and total IgE (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) for 11 inhalant allergens were tested. The results showed that dust mites are the primary allergens for preschool AR children (39%). Among pollen allergens, Amb a had the highest positivity rate (8.1%), followed by Art v (7.8%). The sensitization rates for two mites peaked in May (46.9% and 40.6%). Art v peaked in August (21.5%), while Amb a had peaks in May (12.7%) and August (17.8%). The sensitization peaks for various tree pollens mainly occurred in August. In the Eastern monsoon region, the sensitization rate to mites was significantly higher than in the Northwest arid and semi-arid regions; whereas, for pollen allergens, the sensitization rates to Amb a, Pla a, Pin a, Pop d, and Bet v were significantly higher in the Northwest arid and semi-arid regions than in the Eastern monsoon region. The correlation among various tree pollens, specifically between Pla a, Pin r, Pop d, and Bet v was strong (0.63 ~ 0.79), with a cross-overlapping percentage of 53.9%. Children with multiple pollen sensitizations had higher cumulative nasal symptom scores than those negative for pollen (P < 0.01). Children with only pollen sensitization had higher cumulative rhinitis symptom scores than the all-negative group (P < 0.0001) and the mite-only sensitization group [P < 0.05], while the mite-only sensitization group also had higher scores than the all-negative group [P < 0.05], and the group sensitized to both pollen and mites had lower scores than the pollen-only group [P < 0.05]. This study indicates that sensitization to mites and grass pollens exhibits significant regional differences, with grass pollen allergies primarily occurring in autumn, sensitization to pollens in general exhibits a pronounced seasonal pattern. Moreover, pollen sensitization aggravates nasal and ocular symptoms in AR children.