Unraveling transcriptomic signatures and dysregulated pathways in systemic lupus erythematosus across disease states.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to elucidate the transcriptomic signatures and dysregulated pathways in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), with a particular focus on those persisting during disease remission. METHODS: We conducted bulk RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a well-defined cohort comprising 26 remission patients meeting the Low Lupus Disease Activity State (LLDAS) criteria, 76 patients experiencing disease flares, and 15 healthy controls. To elucidate immune signature changes associated with varying disease states, we performed extensive analyses, including the identification of differentially expressed genes and pathways, as well as the construction of protein-protein interaction networks. RESULTS: Several transcriptomic features recovered during remission compared to the active disease state, including down-regulation of plasma and cell cycle signatures, as well as up-regulation of lymphocytes. However, specific innate immune response signatures, such as the interferon (IFN) signature, and gene modules involved in chromatin structure modification, persisted across different disease states. Drug repurposing analysis revealed certain drug classes that can target these persistent signatures, potentially preventing disease relapse. CONCLUSION: Our comprehensive transcriptomic study revealed gene expression signatures for SLE in both active and remission states. The discovery of gene expression modules persisting in the remission stage may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of vulnerability to relapse in these patients, providing valuable insights for their treatment.

[Study on the adsorption capability of barium-strontium titanate powder coated with dithizone for cadmium ion in water].

Barium-strontium titanate (BST) powder was prepared by using oxalate coprecipitate method, and the surface of barium-strontium titanate (BST) powder was modified by coating with dithizone, gaining a new sort of sorbent. FTIR analysis was used for characterizing the surface modification. By means of determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), the adsorption capability of cadmium on the coating BST powder was investigated, and the condition of elution was observed; studies of coating and adsorption mechanism were also performed. The results showed that dithizone coated on the BST powder throngh hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups and oxygen atoms on surface of the BST and dithizone. The cadmium ion in water could be adsorbed quantitively on dithizone coated BST when the pH was 6.0. At room temperature, the adsorption equilibrium could be obtained in 20 min. 5% EDTA was sufficient for complete elution. A new method for the determination of trace cadmium based on dithizone coated BST separation/ preconcentration and FAAS determination was proposed. The detection limit of this method for cadmium ion was 0.2 microg x L(-1), and the RSD was 2.9%. The method has been applied to the determination of trace cadmium ion in water samples with satisfactory results.

[Study on adsorption behavior of nanosized barium-strontium titanate powder for lead ion in water using FAAS].

Nanosized barium-stroutium titanate (BST) powder, a double salt sorbent, was prepared from BaCl2, SrCl2 and TiCl4 by using oxalate co-precipitate method, and characterized by using transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). By means of determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), the adsorption characteristic of lead on the BST powder w as investigated. The results showed that theforms of the BST powders are clubbed, highly pure perovskite, and the average particle diameter is 36 nm. Lead can be adsorbed strongly on nanosized BST. The adsorption capacity of BST nanoparticle towards lead was found to be 13 mg x g(-1) when the pH is 6.0, and 0.5 mol x L(-1) HNO3 is sufficient for complete elution. A new method for the determination of trace lead based on BST nanoparticle separation/preconcentration and FAAS determination was proposed. The detection limit of this method for lead ion is 11 microg x L(-1), and the relative standard deviation is 2.6%. The method has been applied to the determination of trace lead in water samples with satisfactory results.