Mesenteric adipose tissue B lymphocytes promote intestinal injury in severe acute pancreatitis by mediating enteric pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been linked to the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) prognosis, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. It has been reported that pyroptosis worsens SAP. The present study aimed to verify whether mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT, a component of VAT) can cause secondary intestinal injury through the pyroptotic pathway. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six different groups. Twelve rats were randomly divided into the SAP and control groups. We monitored the changes of MAT and B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT of SAP rats. Twelve SAP rats were injected with MAT B lymphocytes or phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The remaining twelve SAP rats were first injected with MAT B lymphocytes, and then with MCC950 (NLRP3 inhibitor) or PBS. We collected blood and tissue samples from pancreas, gut and MAT for analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the control rats, the SAP group showed inflammation in MAT, including higher expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), lower expression of IL-10, and histological changes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT but not T lymphocytes and macrophages. The SAP rats also exhibited intestinal injury, characterized by lower expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, higher levels of lipopolysaccharide and diamine oxidase, and pathological changes. The expression of NLRP3 and n-GSDMD, which are responsible for pyroptosis, was increased in the intestine of SAP rats. The injection of MAT B lymphocytes into SAP rats exacerbated the inflammation in MAT. The upregulation of pyroptosis reduced tight junction in the intestine, which contributed to the SAP progression, including higher inflammatory indicators and worse histological changes. The administration of MCC950 to SAP + MAT B rats downregulated pyroptosis, which subsequently improved the intestinal barrier and ameliorated inflammatory response of SAP. CONCLUSIONS: In SAP, MAT B lymphocytes aggravated local inflammation, and promoted the injury to the intestine through the enteric pyroptotic pathway.

Zn3V3O8/NC hybrid microspheres self-assembled by layered porous nanosheets as a superior anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries.

Zinc-vanadium oxides have been attracting increasing consideration as anode materials for lithium/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs) recently. Present applications are hampered by issues, including their inferior electric conductivity and enormous volume variation. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon wrapped Zn3V3O8 (Zn3V3O8/NC) microspheres composed of abundant nanosheets were developed as an anode material by a self-assembly strategy and subsequent surface decoration. The resulting Zn3V3O8/NC porous hybrid exhibited a high specific capacity, impressive rate capability, and long-term cycling stability for both LIBs and SIBs. Notably, the superior electrochemical properties could be assigned to novel meso/microporous features, hybrid nitrogen-doped carbon, and mixed storage mechanisms.

Hierarchical NiCo2Se4 nanoneedles/nanosheets with N-doped 3D porous graphene architecture as free-standing anode for superior sodium ion batteries.

In order to cope with the problem of insufficient lithium metal reserves, sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are proposed and extensively studied for the next-generation batteries. In our work, hierarchical NiCo2Se4 nanoneedles/nanosheets are deposited on the skeleton of N-doped three dimensional porous graphene (NPG) by a convenient solvothermal method and subsequent gas-phase selenization process. Compared with NiCo2Se4 powder, the optimized NiCo2Se4/N-doped porous graphene composite (denoted as NCS@NPG) as self-supporting anode exhibits the excellent electrode activity for SIBs, with a specific capacity of 500 mAh/g and 257 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2 A/g and 6.4 A/g, respectively. The high specific capacity as well as rate capacity can be attributed to the three-dimensional graphene skeleton with high electrical conductivity and pore structure, which provides convenient ion and electron transmission channels.

Controlled synthesis of N-doped carbon and TiO2 double-shelled nanospheres with encapsulated multi-layered MoO3 nanosheets as an anode for reversible lithium storage.

α-Phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) is one of the promising anode materials for lithium storage due to its high theoretical capacity and unique intercalation reaction mechanism. Herein, through an efficient step-by-step solvothermal synthesis strategy, multi-layered MoO3 nanosheets are encapsulated by nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) and ultrathin TiO2 double-shells to obtain hierarchical core-shell nanospheres (MoO3@TiO2@NC). The unique nanostructure enables shortening the Li+ diffusion distance, buffer the volume change during the intercalation/deintercalation process, and increase the active sites for the electrochemical reaction. Based on the hierarchical nanostructure and the synergistic effect of each component, the MoO3@TiO2@NC electrode exhibits a high Li+ storage capacity around 979.6 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g-1, a stable cycle performance of 800.3 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 700 cycles and an excellent rate capability of 418.0 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1. Furthermore, the MoO3@TiO2@NC-based coin-type full cell with a commercial LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode exhibited a good cycling stability at 0.2 A g-1 for 100 cycles (∼190 mA h g-1) and rate capability (134 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1).

Recycled Utilization of a Nanoporous Au Electrode for Reduced Fabrication Cost of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using metal electrodes have been regarded as promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaic devices because of their high efficiency, low fabrication temperature, and low cost potential. However, the complicated and rigorous thermal deposition process of metal contact electrodes remains a challenging issue for reducing the energy pay-back period in commercial PSCs, as the ubiquitous one-time use of a contact electrode wastes limited resources and pollutes the environment. Here, a nanoporous Au film electrode fabricated by a simple dry transfer process is introduced to replace the thermally evaporated Au electrode in PSCs. A high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.0% is demonstrated in PSCs with the nanoporous Au film electrode. Moreover, the electrode is recycled more than 12 times to realize a further reduced fabrication cost of PSCs and noble metal materials consumption and to prevent environmental pollution. When the nanoporous Au electrode is applied to flexible PSCs, a PCE of 17.3% and superior bending durability of ≈98.5% after 1000 cycles of harsh bending tests are achieved. The nanoscale pores and the capability of the porous structure to impede crack generation and propagation enable the nanoporous Au electrode to be recycled and result in excellent bending durability.

Highly uniform nitrogen-doped carbon decorated MoO2 nanopopcorns as anode for high-performance lithium/sodium-ion storage.

Molybdenum dioxides (MoO2) featuring low cost and high theoretical capacity endow them competitive anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)/sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the low electrical conductivity and severe volume expansion occurring during the ion insertion/extraction process hamper their practical application. Herein, a novel dual-annealing design has been developed for the synthesis of highly uniform MoO2 nanopopcorns decorated with nitrogen-doped carbon shell (MoO2/NC). Owing to the unique structural characteristics and vital amorphous NC component, the MoO2/NC nanopopcorn hybrid composite exhibits stabilized charge storage capacity of 1073 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles for LIBs, while 301 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles for SIBs at 0.5 A g-1. Furthermore, when the current density increases to 5 A g-1, the specific capacity could still maintain 630 mAh g-1 and 174 mAh g-1 for LIBs and SIBs, respectively, which disclose the outstanding rate capability of MoO2/NC nanopopcorn anode.

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection: incidence and influential factors.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has been widely used. The recurrence rate of H. pylori after eradication and its related factors are gaining more and more attention. Our study aimed to determine the recurrence rate of H. pylori infection after successful eradication, and analyze its influential factors. METHODS: We prospectively studied 1050 patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who were diagnosed as H. pylori infection by gastroscopy and underwent eradication therapies from April 2013 to January 2014. The C-urea breath test (UBT) or Warthin-Starry (WS) staining was done at 8 to 12 weeks after the therapy. Patients with successful eradication were followed by repeated UBT or gastroscopy at one year and 3 years after therapy, as well as, questionnaire surveys. Recurrence was considered if the UBTs or WS staining of biopsy were positive. One-year and 3-year recurrence rates were calculated, and analyzed the differences between recurred patients and others in basic data, sociological characteristics, lifestyle. RESULTS: A total of 743 patients finished the 1-year follow-up, and the 1-year recurrence rate was 1.75%. Of the 607 patients who finished the 3-year follow-up, 28 patients recurred, and the 3-year recurrence rate was 4.61%. Analysis of variance showed that low-income, poor hygiene condition of dining out place, and receiving invasive diagnoses or treatments were significant risk factors for H. pylori infection recurrence. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the combination of invasive diagnoses or treatments, the level of income, and the hygiene standard of dining out place were significant and independent influential factors of the recurrence of H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year and 3-year recurrence rates of H. pylori infection after eradication therapy are 1.75% and 4.61%. Low-income, poor hygiene condition of dining out place, and a combination of invasive diagnoses or treatments are independent risk factors of H. pylori recurrence.

Helicobacter pylori status and risks of metachronous recurrence after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The impact of different Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status (H. pylori negative, H. pylori eradication and H. pylori persistence) on the development of metachronous gastric lesions after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer is not well defined. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate this relationship. Two authors independently searched the electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science) through March 2018, without language restriction. Pooled risk ratio for metachronous gastric lesions with regard to H. pylori status was calculated using fixed- or random-effects models, and heterogeneity and publication bias were also measured. 20 eligible studies were finally identified in systematic review, and 17 out of 20 studies were further included in meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication was associated with overall 50% lower odds of metachronous events (RR = 0.50; 95 % CI 0.41-0.61). Pooled risk ratios for metachronous gastric neoplasm were 0.85 (95 % CI 0.43-1.68) between H. pylori-eradicated and -negative patients, and 0.63 (95 % CI 0.35-1.12) between H. pylori-negative and -persistent patients, respectively. In conclusion, based on the best available evidence, eradication of H. pylori can provide protection against secondary gastric neoplasm, and this quantitative benefit seemed greater than among asymptomatic individuals. Metachronous risk seems comparable between H. pylori-eradicated and -negative population, or between H. pylori-negative and -persistent patients.

Detection of gastritis-associated pathogens by culturing of gastric juice and mucosa.

It is well known that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is not the only indigenous bacterium in the stomach, as numerous studies have revealed that the gastric microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of gastric disease. However, the correlation between the gastric bacterial flora and gastritis is unclear. By comparing differences in viable gastric bacteria between a gastritis group and a healthy group, we examined the potential species related to chronic gastritis. We collected juice and mucosa samples from 103 consecutive patients and identified 81 species by culturing and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The positive rates of Streptococcus and Neisseria were markedly higher in the gastritis group than those in the normal group, suggesting that certain bacterial species may play vital roles in the development of gastritis rather than acting as transient microbes. This finding can be applied to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastritis as evidence supporting non-Helicobacter pylori infection-related gastritis.

Construction of Small-Diameter Vascular Graft by Shape-Memory and Self-Rolling Bacterial Cellulose Membrane.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes with shape-memory properties allow the rapid preparation of artificial small-diameter blood vessels when combined with microfluidics-based patterning with multiple types of cells. Lyophilization of a wet multilayered rolled BC tube endows it with memory to recover its tubular shape after unrolling. The unrolling of the BC tube yields a flat membrane, and subsequent patterning with endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblast cells is carried out by microfluidics. The cell-laden BC membrane is then rerolled into a multilayered tube. The different cells constituting multiple layers on the tubular wall can imitate blood vessels in vitro. The BC tubes (2 mm) without cell modification, when implanted into the carotid artery of a rabbit, maintain thrombus-free patency 21 d after implantation. This study provides a novel strategy for the rapid construction of multilayered small-diameter BC tubes which may be further developed for potential applications as artificial blood vessels.

Multiple tumor-associated microRNAs modulate the survival and longevity of dendritic cells by targeting YWHAZ and Bcl2 signaling pathways.

Tumors use a wide array of immunosuppressive strategies, such as reducing the longevity and survival of dendritic cells (DCs), to diminish immune responses and limit the effect of immunotherapy. In this study, we found that tumors upregulate the expression of multiple microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-16-1, miR-22, miR-155, and miR-503. These tumor-associated miRNAs influenced the survival and longevity of DCs by affecting the expression of multiple molecules that are associated with apoptotic signaling pathways. Specifically, miR-22 targeted YWHAZ to interrupt the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and miR-503 downregulated Bcl2 expression. The result of the increased expression of miR-22 and miR-503 in the tumor-associated DCs was their reduced survival and longevity. Thus, tumor-associated miRNAs can target multiple intracellular signaling molecules to cause the apoptosis of DCs in the tumor environment. Use of miR-22 and miR-503 as inhibitors may therefore represent a new strategy to improve DC-based immunotherapies against tumors.