CO2/H2 Separation by Synergistic Enhanced Hydrate Method with SDS and R134a.

The synergistic effect of thermodynamic promoter tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and kinetic promoter sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can significantly improve the phase equilibrium conditions required for CO2 hydrate formation and promote rapid generation of CO2 hydrate. Based on this, this study investigates the influence of SDS and R134a synergy on the separation of CO2/H2 mixed gas using the hydrate method. The research reveals that without SDS addition, R134a hydrate forms first at the gas-liquid interface before CO2 hydrate induction, hindering gas-liquid exchange. The addition of SDS can inhibit the formation of the hydrate film, enhance the initiator effect of R134a in the CO2 hydrate formation process, accelerate the nucleation of CO2 hydrate, and thus synergistically strengthen the separation of CO2/H2 mixed gases. Hydrate formation can be achieved at a concentration of 100 ppm of SDS solution, and the synergistic growth effect of R134a and CO2 hydrate becomes more significant with increasing SDS concentration. Optimal separation efficiency and maximum H2 concentration are achieved at 500 ppm of SDS, with 42.29 and 54.88% separation efficiency and H2 concentration, respectively. Decreasing the initial charge temperature has little impact on separation efficiency but significantly reduces the induction time, reducing it to 3 min at 12 °C. This study improved the separation efficiency of CO2 and H2 mixed gas, providing a better reference for hydrogen purification by the hydrate method.

Ethylene controls three-dimensional growth involving reduced auxin levels in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

The conquest of land by plants was concomitant with, and possibly enabled by, the evolution of three-dimensional (3D) growth. The moss Physcomitrium patens provides a model system for elucidating molecular mechanisms in the initiation of 3D growth. Here, we investigate whether the phytohormone ethylene, which is believed to have been a signal before land plant emergence, plays a role in 3D growth regulation in P. patens. We report ethylene controls 3D gametophore formation, based on results from exogenously applied ethylene and genetic manipulation of PpEIN2, which is a central component in the ethylene signaling pathway. Overexpression (OE) of PpEIN2 activates ethylene responses and leads to earlier formation of gametophores with fewer gametophores produced thereafter, phenocopying ethylene-treated wild-type. Conversely, Ppein2 knockout mutants, which are ethylene insensitive, show initially delayed gametophore formation with more gametophores produced later. Furthermore, pharmacological and biochemical analyses reveal auxin levels are decreased in the OE lines but increased in the knockout mutants. Our results suggest that evolutionarily, ethylene and auxin molecular networks were recruited to build the plant body plan in ancestral land plants. This might have played a role in enabling ancient plants to acclimate to the continental surfaces of the planet.

Dynamic changes of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines and hBD-2/3 in erosive oral lichen planus patients saliva before and after prednisone acetate treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expression of T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2/Th17- related cytokines and human beta defensins 2 and 3 (hBD-2 and -3) in the saliva of patients with erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) and to explore their role in the pathogenesis of EOLP and the effects of glucocorticoids on EOLP. Methods: A total of 30 patients with EOLP and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this study. The patients were treated with prednisone at a dose of 0.4 mg/(kg·d) for 1 week and examined before and after treatment. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected to determine the levels of cytokines (interleukin 1 beta [IL-1ß], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF]-α, interferon gamma [IFN-γ], IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17) by cytometric bead array and those of hBD-2 and -3 b y enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, oral rinse samples were collected to detect Candida load. Results: The levels of salivary IL-1ß, IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 were higher and the IFN-γ/IL-4 and IL-1ß/IL-6 ratios were lower in patients with EOLP than in healthy individuals. In patients with EOLP, hBD-2 levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ levels and negatively correlated with IL-17 levels, whereas hBD-3 levels were negatively correlated with IL-17 and IL-10 levels. In addition, the prevalence of EOLP was positively correlated with IL-6 levels and negatively correlated with the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased after treatment with prednisone for 1 week. The levels of IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 were significantly higher in EOLP patients than in healthy individuals; while TNF-α levels and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were significantly lower in EOLP patients than in healthy individuals. Furthermore, the oral counts of Candida spp. (colony forming unit [CFU]) were negatively correlated with TNF-α levels. Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and Sign scores decreased in EOLP patients after treatment. Approximately 80 % of patients were effectively treated. Salivary TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the treatment-ineffective group than in the treatment-effective group before treatment with prednisone, and differences in salivary IL-6 levels before and after treatment were significantly higher in the treatment-effective group than in the treatment-ineffective group. Conclusions: High expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, hBD-2 and Th1/Th2 imbalance in saliva may be associated with the pathogenesis of EOLP. IFN-γ/IL-4 balance may serve as a protective factor for EOLP. Glucocorticoids significantly alleviate the symptoms of EOLP and inhibit the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Facilitation of Hydrate Dissociation and Structural Evolution by Major Marine Anions under Static Electric Fields.

Electric fields have been proven to be capable of significantly affecting the equilibrium state of hydrates. In this study, the thermodynamic properties and structural changes of methane hydrate (MH) in various anion solutions in an electric field at 0.7 V/nm were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The presence of anions significantly enhances the instability of methane hydrates under electric fields, leading to a staged dissociation process. First, the anions coexist with MH to form a temporary metastable structure under the action of an electric field. Then, the migration of anions causes the dissociation of nearby hydrates and the formation of flow channels in the hydrate layer, which leads to the complete dissociation of MH after a period. The promotive effects of F-, Br-, I-, and Cl- ions were close, while SO42- was relatively weak. The anions are still in hydration shells in the MH phase, but the structure of the hydration shells differs slightly from that in solution (the coordination numbers of I- and SO42- ions increased). The migration resistances of multiple anions to cross the surface of the hydrate layer are similar. However, inside the hydrate phase, the anions with a larger radius have a higher migration resistance. It is difficult for SO42- ions to migrate inside the hydrate phase, and they tend to form a metastable structure on the hydrate surface. Combining our previous studies, SrCl2 solution has the best hydrate promotion under an electric field environment.

Higher House Dust Mite-Specific IgE Levels among Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients May Implicate Higher Basophil Reactivity.

INTRODUCTION: Allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) sensitization exists in a considerable fraction of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients. Basophils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of CSU. This paper aimed to explore the relationship between allergic sensitization and basophil reactivity in CSU and the possible underlying mechanism. METHODS: Basophil-enriched leukocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of 76 CSU patients and 9 healthy controls. Basophil CD63 and FcεRIα (the alpha subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor) expression in the blood samples with various house dust mite (HDM)-sIgE levels were determined by flow cytometry. Basophil reactivity and SHIP-1 (a molecule related to the IgE/FcεRI signaling pathway) expression were analyzed after stimulation with an HDM allergen or other stimuli. RESULTS: HDM-sIgEstrong positive (≥3.5 kU/L) CSU patients had a significantly higher mean percentage of basophil CD63 and higher baseline levels of FcεRIα expressed by basophils than HDM-sIgEnormal (<0.35 kU/L) CSU patients and healthy controls; the same went for total serum IgE. After stimulation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus peptidase 1 (Derp1) alone or together with Derp1-sIgE, the stimulation index of CD63 and levels of FcεRIα expressed by basophils in HDM-sIgEstrong positive CSU patients were significantly higher than those in HDM-sIgEnormal CSU patients and healthy controls. Significantly more SHIP-1 mRNA expression in HDM-sIgEstrong positive CSU patients was induced after the combined stimulation in comparison to other subjects. CONCLUSION: CSU patients with higher HDM-sIgE levels (≥3.5 kU/L) may have higher CD63 and FcεRIα expression on peripheral blood basophils. Peripheral blood basophils in these CSU patients are more responsive to HDM allergen stimulation. Higher HDM-sIgE levels among CSU patients may implicate higher basophil reactivity.

Polyploid Induction and Identification of Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa.

Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa Ku is a variety of Rosa roxburghii, with two known genotypes: Wuci 1 and Wuci 2. The lack of prickle on the peel of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa makes it easy to pick and process, but its fruit size is small. Therefore, we aim to induce polyploidy in order to obtain a larger fruit variety of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa. In this study, current-year stems of Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 were used as materials for polyploid induction, which was carried out through colchicine treatment coupled with tissue culture and rapid propagation technology. Impregnation and smearing methods were effectively used to produce polyploids. Using flow cytometry and a chromosome counting method, it was found that one autotetraploid of Wuci 1 (2n = 4x = 28) was obtained by the impregnation method before primary culture, with a variation rate of 1.11%. Meanwhile, seven Wuci 2 bud mutation tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28) were produced by smearing methods during the training seedling stage. When tissue-culture seedlings were treated with 20 mg/L colchicine for 15 days, the highest polyploidy rate was up to 60%. Morphological differences between different ploidys were observed. The side leaflet shape index, guard cell length, and stomatal length of the Wuci 1 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 1 diploid. The terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet shape index, side leaflet length, side leaflet width, guard cell length, guard cell width, stomatal length, and stomatal width of the Wuci 2 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 2 diploid. Additionally, the leaf color of the Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 tetraploids changed from light to dark, with an initial decrease in chlorophyll content followed by an increase. In summary, this study established an effective method for inducing polyploids in R. roxburghii f. eseiosa, which could provide a foundation for the breeding and development of new genetic resources for R. roxburghii f. eseiosa and other R. roxburghii varieties in the future.

Does microneedle fractional radiofrequency system inactivate botulinum toxin type A?

BACKGROUND: The combination of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) and energy equipment have been widely used in the clinic. AIMS: To determine whether the energy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFR) affects the efficacy of BoNT/A and to provide an optimal strategy for the energy device in combination with BoNT/A in the clinic. METHODS: First, a total of 45 females with moderate-to-severe periorbital crow's feet wrinkles were enrolled and divided into three groups according to different treatment methods and intervals, including BoNT/A injection alone, BoNT/A injected immediately after MFR treatment and BoNT/A injected 7 days after MFR treatment. The photographs were compared before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Then, the mouse models were established by combining MFR with BoNT/A at different intervals, to evaluate muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle nutritional markers, and important cytokines levels. RESULTS: All patients in each group had high satisfaction. The MFR + BoNT/A (immediately) group could improve dynamic wrinkles, but the others had more significant efficacy (p < 0.05). The results of mouse models showed that all BoNT/A groups induced different degrees of muscle paralysis in vivo, but the paralytic effect induced by the BoNT/A group, MFR + BoNT/A (interval of 3-day) group, and MFR + BoNT/A (interval of 7-day) group were higher than others and the expression levels of muscle nutritional markers in NMJ tissues were significantly upregulated. CONCLUSION: MFR has a certain reduction effect on the activity of BoNT/A, and this reduction effect would last for 3 days after MFR treatment.

Promoting Effect of Common Marine Cations on Hydrate Dissociation and Structural Evolution under a Static Electric Field.

Natural gas hydrate, a potential energy resource, is attracting worldwide attention. In this study, we propose a new method of hydrate dissociation which uses seawater and electrostatic fields (SE method) cooperatively. The hydrate molecular dissociation mechanism of gas hydrate is a key issue in studying the kinetic properties of gas hydrate using the SE method. Therefore, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the thermodynamic properties and structural changes of methane hydrate (MH) in multiple kinds of salt solutions under an electrostatic field. The results show that the electric field can drive cations into the MH phase to form a series of random semiopen cages, which are essentially temporary and metastable. The variation in free energy indicates that it is more difficult for divalent cations to enter the hydrate phase than monovalent cations, meaning that the hydrate structures formed with divalent cations are more unstable. Then, the ion current occurred in the hydrate phase (called ion migration in this study), which greatly accelerated hydrate dissociation. In contrast, the promotion effect of cations with the same charge on MH dissociation is as follows: Sr2+ > K+ ≈ Na+ > Ca2+ ≈ Mg2+. In general, the presence of common marine cations enhanced the promotion effect of the electric field on gas hydrate dissociation.

The over-expression of miRNA-206 in peripheral blood of patients with burning mouth syndrome and its relationship with anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterised by persisting burning pain of the oral mucosa, and its etiopathogenesis remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to detect the expression of miRNA-206 in the blood and clarify the relationship among miRNA-206, pain, anxiety and depression of BMS patients. METHODS: Thirty patients with BMS and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Data on medical history and clinical oral examination for all participants were collected. Simultaneously, scores of Visual Analogous Scale (VAS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered. The expression level of miRNA-206 in plasma were determined by RT-(q)PCR. Finally, the relationship of miRNA-206 expression with the VAS score, SAS score, and SDS score was analysed. Chi-square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis of the data, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority of the patients with BMS identified the tongue as the main pain area, and showed dry mouth and poor sleep quality. The SAS and SDS scores of patients with BMS were higher than those of healthy controls (p < .05) and were positively correlated with VAS pain score. In addition, miRNA-206 expression was higher in patients with BMS than in healthy individuals (p < .05), and was positively correlated with the VAS and SDS scores (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BMS suffer from pain and tend to be more anxious and depressed than healthy controls. miRNA-206 expression in the peripheral blood of patients with BMS is positively correlated with pain and depression, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of BMS.

Analysis of subgingival micro-organisms based on multi-omics and Treg/Th17 balance in type 2 diabetes with/without periodontitis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis are common and interrelated diseases, resulting in altered host response microbiota. The subgingival micro-organisms play a key role in periodontitis pathogenesis. To assess the shift of subgingival microbiome and metabolome in T2DM, we performed an analysis of the subgingival microbiome in patients with T2DM (n = 20) compared with non-diabetes (ND) subjects (n = 21). Furthermore, patients were subdivided into 10 T2DM with periodontitis (DP), 10 T2DM without periodontitis (DNP), 10 periodontitis (P), and 11 healthy control (H) groups. 16SrRNA gene sequencing combined with ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) based metabolomics was performed in all participants. T lymphocyte immunity was analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the network relationship among subgingival micro-organisms, metabolites, blood glucose level, and T lymphocyte immunity were analyzed. The results showed that the difference of the subgingival microbiome from healthy to periodontitis status was less prominent in T2DM compared with ND, though the clinical signs of disease were similar. The bacteria Eubacterium nodatum group, Filifactor, Fretibacterium, Peptostreptococcus, and Desulfovibrio, amongst others, may be important in the pathopoiesia of periodontitis in the T2DM state. In addition, some dominant bacteria showed network relationships. The Treg/Th17 ratio was lower in the DP and DNP groups than in the P and H groups-though that of P was lower than for H. The percentage of CD4+/CD8+ PD1 and CD8+ PDL1 was higher in the DP and DNP groups than in the H group; the percentage of CD8+ PDL1 was higher in the DP than P groups. Subgingival micro-organisms in periodontitis had a significant metabolic shift in terms of their signature metabolites. Butyrate metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis with/without T2DM. Specifically, biphenyl degradation, tryptophan metabolism, and the two-component system may play important roles in periodontitis with T2DM. Lastly, the network relationship among subgingival micro-organisms, metabolites, blood glucose level, and T lymphocyte immunity were unbalanced. This study identified the changes in the subgingival microbiome associated with periodontitis in T2DM, as well as the associated network between bacterial flora, metabolism dysbiosis, and immune regulation.