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Replacement of liquid electrolytes with polymer gel electrolytes is recognized as a general and effective way of solving safety problems and achieving high flexibility in wearable batteries1-6. However, the poor interface between polymer gel electrolyte and electrode, caused by insufficient wetting, produces much poorer electrochemical properties, especially during the deformation of the battery7-9. Here we report a strategy for designing channel structures in electrodes to incorporate polymer gel electrolytes and to form intimate and stable interfaces for high-performance wearable batteries. As a demonstration, multiple electrode fibres were rotated together to form aligned channels, while the surface of each electrode fibre was designed with networked channels. The monomer solution was effectively infiltrated first along the aligned channels and then into the networked channels. The monomers were then polymerized to produce a gel electrolyte and form intimate and stable interfaces with the electrodes. The resulting fibre lithium-ion battery (FLB) showed high electrochemical performances (for example, an energy density of about 128 Wh kg-1). This strategy also enabled the production of FLBs with a high rate of 3,600 m h-1 per winding unit. The continuous FLBs were woven into a 50 cm × 30 cm textile to provide an output capacity of 2,975 mAh. The FLB textiles worked safely under extreme conditions, such as temperatures of -40 °C and 80 °C and a vacuum of -0.08 MPa. The FLBs show promise for applications in firefighting and space exploration.
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ABSTRACT: Colchicine reduces atherothrombotic cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease because of its anti-inflammatory effect. However, the effects of the other anti-inflammatory drugs in coronary artery disease remain unclear. This study included 132 patients aged 18-80 years who completed the planned percutaneous coronary interventions and were treated with aggressive secondary prevention strategies for 4 weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of the following treatment groups for 4 weeks: (1) control: no additional intervention; (2) colchicine: 0.5 mg once a day; (3) tranilast: 0.1 g thrice a day; or (4) oridonin: 0.5 g thrice a day. The primary outcome was the percentage change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels at the end of 4 weeks. In total, 109 patients completed the study. The mean age was 58.33 years, 81 (74.31%) were male, and 28 (25.69%) were female. The percentage changes in hsCRP after 4 weeks of treatment were -11.62%, -48.28%, -21.60%, and -7.81%, in the control, colchicine, tranilast, and the oridonin groups, respectively. Compared with the control group, only the colchicine group showed significantly greater reduction in hsCRP levels ( P = 0.022). In targeted proteomic analysis, proteins associated with neutrophil activation (azurocidin, myeloperoxidase, and myeloblastin), platelet aggregation (glycoprotein VI), and endothelial damage (galectin-3) were reduced with colchicine therapy. These results show that of 3 anti-inflammatory drugs only colchicine could reduce hsCRP in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions.
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Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Diterpenos do Tipo Caurano , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea , ortoaminobenzoatos , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteína C-Reativa/metabolismo , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/tratamento farmacológico , Projetos Piloto , Proteômica , Anti-Inflamatórios/efeitos adversos , Colchicina/efeitos adversos , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea/efeitos adversos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Atherosclerosis, which is characterized by chronic inflammation in the arterial wall, is driven by immune cells and cytokines. Recent evidence indicated that interleukin (IL)-27 showed pleiotropic properties in immune diseases. However, precise mechanisms of IL-27, especially in atherosclerosis remains unknown. In our research, we examined the influence of the administration of IL-27 and an anti-IL-27p28 antibody (anti-IL-27p28-Ab) on both the initiation and the progression of atherosclerosis. In the groups (both the initiation and the progression) receiving recombinant IL-27 administration, the formation of atherosclerotic plaques was suspended, and the percentage of regulatory T cells (LAP+ or Foxp3+) in the spleen and peripheral blood was increased. Meanwhile, the number of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells was decreased. In the peripheral blood plasma, TGF-ß and IL-10 expression were increased, while the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 were reduced. As for lesions, the mRNA expression of Foxp3, TGF-ß, and IL-10 was increased, while that of IFN-γ and IL-17 was reduced. In the anti-IL-27p28 antibody groups, we obtained opposite results. We also observed that DCs treated with IL-27 display a tolerogenic phenotype and that IL-27-treated tolerogenic DCs (tDCs) are likely to play a protective role during atherosclerosis. Our study indicates that IL-27 or adoptive transfer of IL-27 loaded tDCs may be a new therapeutic approach in atherosclerosis.
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Aterosclerose , Interleucina-27 , Camundongos , Animais , Linfócitos T Reguladores/metabolismo , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-27/metabolismo , Interleucina-17/metabolismo , Apolipoproteínas E/genética , Aterosclerose/tratamento farmacológico , Interleucinas/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Fatores Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/metabolismoRESUMO
AIM: To establish reference ranges for fetal mandibular markers in low-risk singleton pregnancies between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Chinese population. METHODS: The inferior facial angle (IFA), transverse, and anteroposterior diameters of the mandible, and mandibular length were measured at 11-13 + 6 weeks of gestation. The utility of these sonographic markers for detecting micrognathia was explored in seven fetuses. RESULTS: In healthy fetuses at 11-13 + 6 weeks, there were linear correlations between gestational age and the transverse (Y = -15.615 + 1.987X, r = 0.718, p < 0.001) and anteroposterior (Y = -8.557 + 1.101X, r = 0.581, p < 0.001) diameters of the mandible; mean ratio of the anteroposterior: transverse diameters of the mandible decreased with gestational age (Y = 0.603-0.003X, r = 0.018, p = 0.755); there was a positive correlation between crown rump length and mandibular length (mandible length = 0.861 + 0.137*crown rump length; r = 0.723, p < 0.001); and there was a positive correlation between crown rump length and IFA (r = 0.234, p < 0.05). Reference ranges were: mean ratio of anteroposterior diameter: transverse diameter of the mandible 0.56; mean mandibular length 9.05 mm; and median IFA 66.5°. The values for these mandibular markers in seven cases of fetal micrognathia were outside the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluations of fetal mandibular markers during first trimester ultrasound screening may contribute to the early detection and diagnosis of micrognathia. We recommend obtaining a subjective impression of the mandible on the mid-sagittal view routinely used to measured nuchal translucency, followed by targeted objective measurements on the mid-sagittal and axial views in suspected cases.
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Mandíbula , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal , China , Estatura Cabeça-Cóccix , Feminino , Feto/diagnóstico por imagem , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Mandíbula/diagnóstico por imagem , Gravidez , Primeiro Trimestre da GravidezRESUMO
Sluggish CO2 reduction/evolution kinetics at cathodes seriously impede the realistic applications of Li-CO2 batteries. Herein, synergistic photoelectric effect and plasmonic interaction are introduced to accelerate CO2 reduction/evolution reactions by designing a silver nanoparticle-decorated titanium dioxide nanotube array cathode. The incident light excites energetic photoelectrons/holes in titanium dioxide to overcome reaction barriers, and induces the intensified electric field around silver nanoparticles to enable effective separation/transfer of photogenerated carriers and a thermodynamically favorable reaction pathway. The resulting Li-CO2 battery demonstrates ultra-low charge voltage of 2.86â V at 0.10â mA cm-2 , good cycling stability with 86.9 % round-trip efficiency after 100 cycles, and high rate capability at 2.0â mA cm-2 . This work offers guidance on rational cathode design for advanced Li-CO2 batteries and beyond.
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BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs), traditionally recognized as potent suppressors of immune response, are increasingly attracting attention because of a second major function: residing in parenchymal tissues and maintaining local homeostasis. However, the existence, unique phenotype, and function of so-called tissue Tregs in the heart remain unclear. METHODS: In mouse models of myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, or cardiac cryoinjury, the dynamic accumulation of Tregs in the injured myocardium was monitored. The bulk RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the transcriptomic characteristics of Tregs from the injured myocardium after MI or ischemia/reperfusion injury. Photoconversion, parabiosis, single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing, and adoptive transfer were applied to determine the source of heart Tregs. The involvement of the interleukin-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 axis and Sparc (secreted acidic cysteine-rich glycoprotein), a molecule upregulated in heart Tregs, was further evaluated in functional assays. RESULTS: We showed that Tregs were highly enriched in the myocardium of MI, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and cryoinjury mice. Transcriptomic data revealed that Tregs isolated from the injured hearts had plenty of differentially expressed transcripts in comparison with their lymphoid counterparts, including heart-draining lymphoid nodes, with a phenotype of promoting infarct repair, indicating a unique characteristic. The heart Tregs were accumulated mainly because of recruitment from the circulating Treg pool, whereas local proliferation also contributed to their expansion. Moreover, a remarkable case of repeatedly detected T-cell receptor of heart Tregs, more than that of spleen Tregs, suggests a model of clonal expansion. Besides, HelioshighNrp-1high phenotype proved the mainly thymic origin of heart Tregs, with a small contribution of phenotypic conversion of conventional CD4+ T cells, proved by the analysis of T-cell receptor repertoires and conventional CD4+ T cells adoptive transfer experiments. The interleukin-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 axis was essential for sustaining heart Treg populations. Last, we demonstrated that Sparc, which was highly expressed by heart Tregs, acted as a critical factor to protect the heart against MI by increasing collagen content and boosting maturation in the infarct zone. CONCLUSIONS: We identified and characterized a phenotypically and functionally unique population of heart Tregs that may lay the foundation to harness Tregs for cardioprotection in MI and other cardiac diseases.
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Transferência Adotiva , Infarto do Miocárdio/prevenção & controle , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/prevenção & controle , Miocárdio/imunologia , Linfócitos T Reguladores/imunologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Interleucina-33/imunologia , Camundongos , Infarto do Miocárdio/imunologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/imunologia , Miocárdio/patologia , Osteonectina/imunologia , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Linfócitos T Reguladores/patologiaRESUMO
Fibrotic scarring is tightly linked to the development of heart failure in patients with post-myocardial infarction (MI). Atypical chemokine receptor 4 (ACKR4) can eliminate chemokines, such as C-C chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), which is independently associated with heart failure mortality. However, the role of ACKR4 in the heart during MI is unrevealed. This study aimed to determine whether ACKR4 modulates cardiac remodeling following MI and to illuminate the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression of ACKR4 was upregulated in the border/infarct area, and ACKR4 was predominantly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Knockout of ACKR4 protected against adverse ventricular remodeling in mice post-MI. These protective effects of ACKR4 deficiency were independent of dendritic cell immune response but could be attributed to downregulated CF-derived IL-6, affecting CF proliferation and endothelial cell (EC) functions, which consequently inhibited cardiac fibrosis. ACKR4 promoted IL-6 generation and proliferation of CFs. Besides, ACKR4 induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in ECs through IL-6 paracrine effect. The p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway was involved in ACKR4 facilitated IL-6 generation. Moreover, ACKR4 overexpression in vivo via AAV9 carrying a periostin promoter aggravated heart functional impairment post-MI, which was abolished by IL-6 neutralizing antibody. Therefore, our study established a novel link between ACKR4 and IL-6 post-MI, indicating that ACKR4 may be a novel therapeutic target to ameliorate cardiac remodeling.
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Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/antagonistas & inibidores , Infarto do Miocárdio/metabolismo , Receptores CCR/deficiência , Remodelação Ventricular , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Interleucina-6/biossíntese , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Infarto do Miocárdio/patologia , Receptores CCR/genética , Receptores CCR/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Flexible and wearable electrical devices have attracted extensive research attention in recent years. In the device fabrication process, the low-cost and compatibility with industrialized mass production are of great importance. Herein, membrane-based flexible photodetectors (PDs) based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride filter membrane with the structure of Ag nanowires (NWs)/ZnO NWs/graphene were fabricated by a full-solution method. The built-in electric field due to the ZnO/graphene Schottky junction is in favor of the separation and transport of photo-generated carriers, leading to enhanced device performance. The I light/I dark ratio was as high as â¼102, which is far superior to that of the reported ZnO-based fiber-shaped PDs. The PDs with remarkable flexibility can be easily attached to the human body and even can work steadily under serious bending conditions. Particularly, the photocurrent can keep 95% of the maximum value after the PD was bent 1000 times. In addition to the wearable applications, the membrane-based PD arrays can also be applied for imaging application.
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Aim: Limited data exist on impact of the metastatic sites on survival in patients with metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: Patients with metastatic ICC were identified in the SEER from 2010 to 2015. Results: A total of 981 patients were identified, of this population, liver (57.9%) is the most common site of ICC metastases, followed by lung, bone and brain. Respective median overall survival and cancer-specific survival were 6 and 9 months in entire population. Further analysis suggested that patients treated by surgery to primary and/or metastatic lesions had a better survival outcome than patients had no surgery (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Liver is the most common site for ICC metastases, local treatment such as surgery to primary or metastatic lesions obviously benefit patients.
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Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/mortalidade , Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/patologia , Colangiocarcinoma/mortalidade , Colangiocarcinoma/patologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/epidemiologia , Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/terapia , Colangiocarcinoma/epidemiologia , Colangiocarcinoma/terapia , Terapia Combinada , Feminino , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Especificidade de Órgãos , Vigilância da População , Prognóstico , Programa de SEER , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Image sensor arrays are widely used in digital cameras, smartphones, and biorobots. However, most commercial image arrays rely on the dichroic prisms or a set of interference filters to distinguish characteristic color spectrum, which significantly increases the cost and fabrication processing complexity. In this work, an ultranarrow response photodetector with full-width at half-maximum being â¼12 nm and specific detectivity over 1011 Jones at 545 nm are successfully achieved in CsPbBr3 polycrystalline films using freeze-drying casting method to adjust the surface-charge recombination. To our best knowledge, this is the narrowest spectrum response for perovskite photodetectors in the visible light waveband. More importantly, a series of narrowband photodetectors are developed to enhance diverse selectivity for target signals covering from blue light to red light via bandgap tuning in CsPbX3 by tailoring the halide component. Finally, an integrated sensing array with CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) narrowband photodetectors acting as color recognition cones is constructed, which presents clear color and shape recognition paving the way for commercialization of perovskite photodetector in artificial vision.
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Césio/química , Chumbo/química , Nanoestruturas/química , Biônica , Compostos de Cálcio/química , Cristalização , Liofilização , Halogenação , Humanos , Luz , Óxidos/química , Titânio/química , Visão OcularRESUMO
Inorganic halide perovskites exhibited promising potentials for high-performance wide-band photodetectors (PDs) due to their high light absorption coefficients, long carrier diffusion length and wide light absorption ranges. Here, we report two-dimensional (2D) CsPbBr3/PCBM heterojunctions for sensitive, fast and flexible PDs, whose performances can be greatly boosted by the charge transfer through the energy-aligned interface. The 2D CsPbBr3 nanosheets with high crystallinity were fabricated via a simple solution-process at room temperature, and then assembled into flexible heterojunctions films with polymerphenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Significantly, the efficient and fast charge transfer at the heterojunctions interface was evidenced by the obvious photoluminescence quenching and variation of recombination dynamics. Subsequently, such heterojunctions PD exhibited an enhanced responsivity of 10.85 A W-1 and an ultrahigh detectivity of 3.06 × 1013 Jones. In addition, the PD shows a broad linear dynamic range of 73 dB, a fast response speed with rise time of 44 µs and decay time of 390 µs, respectively. Moreover, the PD lying on polyethylene terephthalate substrates exhibited an outstanding mechanical flexibility and a robust electrical stability. These results could provide a new avenue for integration of 2D perovskites and organic functional materials and for high-performance flexible PDs.
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Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are generally regarded as key immunomodulators that maintain immune tolerance and counteract tissue damage in a variety of immune-mediated disorders. However, its role in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether Tregs exert a beneficial effect on mouse MIRI. We examined the role of Tregs in murine MIRI by depletion using 'depletion of regulatory T-cell' (DEREG) mice and adoptive transfer using Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-GFP knockin mice and the mechanisms of cardio protection were further studied in vivo and in vitro. Tregs rapidly accumulated in murine hearts following MIRI. Selective depletion of Tregs in the DEREG mouse model resulted in aggravated MIRI. In contrast, the adoptive transfer of in vitro-activated Tregs suppressed MIRI, whereas freshly isolated Tregs had no effect. Mechanistically, activated Treg-mediated protection against MIRI was not abrogated by interleukin (IL)-10 or transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 inhibition but was impaired by the genetic deletion of cluster of differentiation 39 (CD39). Moreover, adoptive transfer of in vitro-activated Tregs attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis, activated a pro-survival pathway involving Akt and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and inhibited neutrophil infiltration, which was compromised by CD39 deficiency. Finally, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revealed a decrease in CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs and a relative increase in CD39+ cells within the Treg population. In conclusion, our data validated a protective role for Tregs in MIRI. Moreover, in vitro-activated Tregs ameliorated MIRI via a CD39-dependent mechanism, representing a putative therapeutic strategy.
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Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Apirase/metabolismo , Imunoterapia/métodos , Ativação Linfocitária/imunologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/imunologia , Linfócitos T Reguladores/imunologia , Transferência Adotiva/métodos , Análise de Variância , Animais , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/genética , Técnicas de Introdução de Genes , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde/genética , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Linfócitos T Reguladores/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies suggest that galectin-9 (Gal-9) might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the exact role of Gal-9 in atherosclerosis remains to be elucidated. METHODS: Serum Gal-9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interferon- (IFN-) γ, interleukin- (IL-) 4, IL-17, and transforming growth factor- (TGF-) ß1 were measured. The effect of Gal-9 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was investigated in patients with normal coronary artery (NCA). RESULTS: The lowest level of Gal-9 was found in the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group, followed by the non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS), the NCA, and the stable angina pectoris (SAP) groups, respectively. Additionally, Gal-9 was found to be independently associated with hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a), and creatinine. Notably, Gal-9 was also noted to be an independent predictor of the Gensini score. Moreover, Gal-9 suppressed T-helper 17 (Th17) and expanded regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in decreased IL-17 production and increased secretion of TGF-ß1. CONCLUSIONS: Serum Gal-9 is associated with not only coronary artery disease (CAD), but also the severity of coronary arteries stenosis. Gal-9 can expand Tregs and suppress Th17 development in activated PBMC, implying that Gal-9 has the potential to dampen the development of atherosclerosis and may be a new therapy for CAD.
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Doença da Artéria Coronariana/etiologia , Galectinas/sangue , Adulto , Idoso , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/sangue , Citocinas/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise de RegressãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory and immune disease. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress the activation of T cells and have been shown to play a protective role during the pathogenesis of AS. However, specific markers for Tregs are lacking. Recently, glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) was discovered as a specific marker of activated Tregs, and we therefore utilized GARP as a specific surface marker for Tregs in the current study. METHODS: To assess whether GARP(+) Tregs are downregulated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we examined CD4(+)CD25(+)GARP(+) T cell frequencies as well as their associated cytokines and suppressive function. Additionally, we compared GARP expression to that of FOXP3, which may be more sensitive as a marker of activated Tregs in patients with ACS. RESULTS: Patients with ACS demonstrated a significant decrease in circulating CD4(+)CD25(+)GARP(+) Tregs. Moreover, the suppressive function of Tregs and levels of related cytokines were also impaired in ACS patients compared to those with stable angina (SA) or normal coronary artery (NCA). Additionally, after TCR stimulation, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with ACS exhibited a decrease in CD4(+)CD25(+)GARP(+) Tregs. CONCLUSIONS: These fnding indicate that circulating CD4(+)CD25(+)GARP(+) Tregs are impaired in patients withACS. Thus, targeting GARP may promote the protective function of Tregs in ACS.
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Síndrome Coronariana Aguda/imunologia , Proteínas de Membrana/imunologia , Linfócitos T Reguladores/imunologia , Síndrome Coronariana Aguda/sangue , Síndrome Coronariana Aguda/patologia , Idoso , Feminino , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/sangue , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/imunologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Humanos , Subunidade alfa de Receptor de Interleucina-2/sangue , Subunidade alfa de Receptor de Interleucina-2/imunologia , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Linfócitos T Reguladores/metabolismo , Linfócitos T Reguladores/patologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells (Tregs) in protecting fine particulate matter (PM-) induced inflammatory responses, and its potential mechanisms. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with graded concentrations (2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 µg/cm(2)) of suspension of fine particles for 24h. For coculture experiment, HUVECs were incubated alone, with CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells (Teff), or with Tregs in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies for 48 hours, and then were stimulated with or without suspension of fine particles for 24 hours. The expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines was examined. RESULTS: Adhesion molecules, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL-) 6 and IL-8, were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the adhesion of human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) to endothelial cells was increased and NF- κ B activity was upregulated in HUVECs after treatment with fine particles. However, after Tregs treatment, fine particles-induced inflammatory responses and NF- κ B activation were significantly alleviated. Transwell experiments showed that Treg-mediated suppression of HUVECs inflammatory responses impaired by fine particles required cell contact and soluble factors. CONCLUSIONS: Tregs could attenuate fine particles-induced inflammatory responses and NF- κ B activation in HUVECs.
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Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/imunologia , Inflamação/imunologia , Inflamação/metabolismo , Material Particulado/toxicidade , Linfócitos T Reguladores/metabolismo , Humanos , Molécula 1 de Adesão Intercelular/sangue , Interleucina-8/sangue , NF-kappa B/sangue , Molécula 1 de Adesão de Célula Vascular/sangueRESUMO
Recent investigators have illuminated the crucial role of positive psychology in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). However, little is known about academic buoyancy as a potential mediator in the relationship between foreign language anxiety and learners' academic engagement in English learning. To address this gap, we adopted a quantitative approach to explore these links. We surveyed 970 Chinese high school EFL students to measure their English learning anxiety, academic buoyancy, and learning engagement. Of the four dimensions of engagement - behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and agentic engagement - we discarded the emotional and cognitive dimensions of academic engagement in factor analyses. Structural equation modelling indicated that English learning anxiety directly predicted behavioral but not agentic engagement, and academic buoyancy partially mediated between English learning anxiety and behavioral engagement and completely mediated between English learning anxiety and agentic engagement. These results provide insights for EFL teachers seeking to enhance students' language learning experiences.
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OBJECTIVES: Sonographic evaluation of the basilar artery is challenging, and a limited number of reports are available about the prenatal period, as manual positioning of probes is technically difficult. The objective of this study was to describe a sonographic transabdominal approach based on slowflow HD for screening of the basilar artery during the second trimester scan. METHODS: A total of 49 women who were enrolled in a second trimester screening were included when the fetus was in the occipitoanterior position. Dopper screening of the cerebral artery was performed, which revealed the "Y" sign indicating the basilar trunk arising from two vertebral arteries in the axial oblique view when the probe was located around the junction of the vertebral processes and occipital bone and was superior to the first vertebral body, sloping slightly to the cephalic side. The Doppler ultrasound probe was placed perpendicular to the basilar artery. The flow direction was below the baseline, away from the probe in the basilar artery, consistent with a caudocephalic orientation. Peak systolic and diastolic velocities were measured. RESULTS: The basilar artery was identified in all 49 fetuses, with a mean gestational age of 22 weeks (range 20 to 26 weeks). The mean peak systolic velocity of the basilar artery was 15.8 cm/second (range 9.12-26.44 cm/second). There was a slight increase in peak systolic velocity according to the gestational age of the fetus. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that evaluation of the basilar artery can be performed during the second trimester via a new transabdominal approach involving slowflow HD.
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Angiografia , Artéria Basilar , Humanos , Gravidez , Feminino , Lactente , Segundo Trimestre da Gravidez , Artéria Basilar/diagnóstico por imagem , Diástole , FetoRESUMO
Introduction: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia that presents with abnormalities in the craniofacial region, teeth, and clavicles and is linked to RUNX2 mutation. Prenatal diagnoses of CCD have rarely been reported, and most of these cases have a positive family history. Here we report two prenatally diagnosed CCD cases without a positive family history. We conducted a literature review to summarize the prenatal sonographic findings of CCD. Case reports: Case 1 (a 26-year-old woman): ultrasound at 13 weeks showed a thickened nuchal translucency with absent nasal bones and poor ossifications in the cranium and vertebrae. Genetic testing confirmed a frame shift deletion of RUNX2. Case 2 (a 27-year-old woman): ultrasound at 32 weeks showed potential fetal skeletal dysplasia, with inadequate skull ossification, mild ossified bilateral clavicles, and RUNX2 frameshift deletion mutation. Both cases were diagnosed with CCD and the parents chose pregnancy termination. Conclusion: These cases underscore the importance of sonographic examination for prenatal CCD diagnosis with a negative family history. By reviewing previous cases, we concluded that combining NB hypoplasia, clavicle and skull hypoplasia, and shortened long bones may be effective for early screening for CCD. Prenatal diagnosis is crucial for guiding medical decisions.
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Photovoltaic devices represent an efficient electricity generation mode. Integrating them into textiles offers exciting opportunities for smart electronic textiles-with the ultimate goal of supplying power for wearable technology-which is poised to change how electronic devices are designed. Many human activities occur indoors, so realizing indoor photovoltaic fibers (IPVFs) that can be woven into textiles to power wearables is critical, although currently unavailable. Here, a dye-sensitized IPVF is constructed by incorporating titanium dioxide nanoparticles into aligned nanotubes to produce close contact and stable interfaces among active layers on a curved fiber substrate, thus presenting efficient charge transport and low charge recombination in the photoanode. With the combination of highly conductive core-sheath Ti/carbon nanotube fiber as a counter electrode, the IPVF shows a certified power conversion efficiency of 25.53% under 1500 lux illuminance. Its performance variation is below 5% after bending, twisting, or pressing for 1000 cycles. These IPVFs are further integrated with fiber batteries as self-charging power textiles, which are demonstrated to effectively supply electricity for wearables, solving the power supply problem in this important direction.