Modulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell and CD4+ T cell differentiation accompanied by upregulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway induced by enterovirus 71.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a neurotropic enterovirus associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) fatalities. In this study, we investigated the impact of EV71 on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD4+ T cells. The results showed that pDCs were promptly activated, secreting interferon (IFN)-α and inducing CD4+ T cell proliferation and differentiation during early EV71 infection. This initiated adaptive immune responses and promoted proinflammatory cytokine production by CD4+ T cells. Over time, viral nucleic acids and proteins were synthesized in pDCs and CD4+ T cells. Concurrently, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) was activated, exhibiting an anti-inflammatory role. With constant viral stimulation, pDCs and CD4+ T cells showed reduced differentiation and cytokine secretion. Defects in pDCs were identified as a key factor in CD4+ T cell tolerance. CAP had a more significant regulatory effect on CD4+ T cells than on pDCs and was capable of inhibiting inflammation in these cells.

Stimuli-Responsive Materials from Ferrocene-Based Organic Small Molecule for Wearable Sensors.

Stimuli-responsive crystals capable of energy conversion have emerged as promising materials for smart sensors, actuators, wearable devices, and robotics. Here, a novel ferrocene-based organic molecule crystal (Fc-Cz) that possesses anisotropic piezoelectric, optical, and mechanical properties is reported. It is demonstrated that the new crystal Fc-Cz can be used as an ultrasensitive piezoelectric material in fabricating strain sensors. The flexible sensor made of crystal Fc-Cz can detect small strains/deformations and motions with a fast response speed. Analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) indicates that an external pressure can affect the dipole moment by changing the molecular configuration of the asymmetric single crystal Fc-Cz in the crystalline state, leading to a change of polarity, and thereby an enhanced dielectric constant. This work demonstrates a new artificial organic small molecule for high-performance tactile sensors, indicating its great potential for developing low-cost flexible wearable sensors.

Visualizing Drug Release from a Stimuli-Responsive Soft Material Based on Amine-Thiol Displacement.

In this research, we developed a photoluminescent platform using amine-coupled fluorophores, generated from a single conjugate acceptor containing bis-vinylogous thioesters. Based on the experimental and computational results, the fluorescence turn-on mechanism was proposed to be charge separated induced energy radiative transition for the amine-coupled fluorophore, while the sulfur-containing precursor was not fluorescent since the energy internal conversion occurred through vibrational 2RS- (R represents alkyl groups) as energy acceptor(s). Further utilizing the conjugate acceptor, we establish a new fluorogenic approach via a highly cross-linked soft material to selectively detect cysteine under neutral aqueous conditions. Turn-on fluorescence emission and macroscopic degradation occurred in the presence of cysteine as the stimuli, which can be visually tracked due to the generation of an optical indicator and the cleavage of linkers within the matrix. Furthermore, a novel drug delivery system was constructed, achieving controlled release of sulfhydryl drug (6-mercaptopurine) which was tracked by photoluminescence and high-performance liquid chromatography. The photoluminescent molecules developed herein are suitable for visualizing polymeric degradation, making them suitable for additional "smart" material applications.

Pd-Immobilized Schiff Base Double-Layer Macrocycle: Synthesis, Structures, Peroxidase Mimic Activity, and Antibacterial Performance.

Di-, tri-, and tetra-aldehydes have been employed to access new [2 + 2] [2 + 3] and [2 + 4] double-layer Schiff base macrocycles. The [2 + 3] compound has been used for the immobilization of Pd and the resulting composite has been employed as a peroxidase-like mimetic using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the substrate; the optimum conditions together with the catalytic kinetics of the enzyme-like activity is discussed. Based on the peroxidase-like catalytic activity, the Pd@Schiff base composite was found to exhibit excellent bactericidal activity against both Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacterium) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacterium) in the presence of relatively low concentrations of H2O2. Furthermore, cytotoxicity measurements illustrate the biosafety of the Pd composite. The above-mentioned findings have the potential to guide the innovation of new Pd-based composites as enzyme mimetics and antibacterial materials.

[Correction of progressive hemifacial atrophy using dermis-fat graft and Medpor implant shaped by reverse engineering technique].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of dermis-fat graft combined with Medpor implant shaped by reverse engineering technique in the correction of the progressive hemifacial atrophy. METHODS: A skull model was made by rapid prototyping and the bony deficiency model was acquired with reverse engineering technique. The Medpor implant was shaped precisely based on the deficiency model and implanted with dermis-fat graft at the same stage. RESULTS: 11 cases were treated successfully without infection, necrosis and rejection. The patients were followed up for six months to one year with satisfactory cosmetic improvement. The dermis-fat graft survived without obvious absorption. CONCLUSION: The technique can correct both the bony and soft tissue deficiency for progressive hemifacial atrophy. It is very practical and easily performed with reliant results and less morbidity.

[Constructing tissue engineered trachea-like cartilage graft in vitro by using bone marrow stromal cells sheet and PLGA internal support: experimental study in bioreactor].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of constructing tissue engineered trachea-like cartilage graft in vitro by using bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) sheet and PLGA internal support. METHODS: Rabbit BMSCs were expanded and induced by transforming growth factor-1 to improve chondrocyte phenotype of BMSCs. BMSCs sheets were obtained by continuous culture and wrapped the PGLA scaffold in the shape of cylinder. The constructs were incubated in spinner flask for 8 weeks and cartilage formation was investigated by gross inspection, histology, glycosaminoglycan and mechanical strength content. RESULTS: After in vitro culture, cartilage like tissue in cylindrical shape had been regenerated successfully. Stiff, shiny, pearly opalescence tissues were observed. Histological analysis showed engineered trachea cartilage consisted of evenly spaced lacunae embedded in matrix, cells stationed in the lacunae could be noticed clearly. Safranin-O staining on the sections showed homogenous and positive red staining, which demonstrated that the engineered tissue was rich in proteoglycans. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the cell sheet and internal support strategy, trachea-like cartilage in cylindrical shape could be successfully fabricated which provided a highly effective cartilage graft substitute and could be useful in many situations of trachea-cartilage loss encountered in clinical practice.

[Surgical orthodontic technique for the treatment of maxillofacial deformities and dysfunction of occlusion after maxillofacial fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new technique to treat severe maxillofacial deformity and dysfunction of occlusion after the maxillofacial fractures. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients, with delayed maxillofacial deformities and dysfunction of occlusion after the maxillofacial fractures, were treated by the use of x-ray cephalometric analysis, model surgery, open reduction and rigid internal fixation. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were successfully corrected the maxillofacial deformities, facilitated normal occlusal relationship. Only one patient with severe damage of the brain was presented a mild occlusion dysfunction one year after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The above-mentioned technique may be a viable and effective option for the management of the deformities of the face and dentition after the maxillofacial fractures.