Dual External Field-Engineered Hyperhalogen.

Hyperhalogens, a superatom featuring the highest known electron affinity (EA), have promising applications in the synthesis of superoxidizers. Contributions regarding the identified numbers and corresponding design strategies of hyperhalogens, however, are scarce. Herein, a novel and noninvasive dual external field (DEF) strategy, including the ligand field and oriented external electric field (OEEF), is proposed to construct hyperhalogens. The DEF strategy was shown to possess the power to increase Au8's EA, forming the hyperhalogen. Strikingly, the ligation process can increase the cluster's stability, while OEEF can realize the precise and continuous regulation of the cluster's EA. Moreover, besides the model Au8 system, an experimentally synthesized Ag17 nanocluster was also investigated, further demonstrating the reliability of the proposed strategy. Considering the crucial role of ligands in the liquid synthesis of clusters and the convenient source of OEEF, such a DEF strategy may greatly increase the synthesis and applications of hyperhalogens in the condensed phase.

Surface Modification Strategy for Promoting the Performance of Non-noble Metal Single-Atom Catalysts in Low-Temperature CO Oxidation.

As a bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyses, single-atom catalysts (SACs), especially the noble metal atoms, have received extensive attention from both the fundamental and applied perspectives recently. High cost and difficulty in synthesis are considerable factors, however, limiting the development and practical applications of SACs. Thus, seeking for non-noble SACs for substituting the noble ones is not only of vital importance but also a long-standing challenge. Herein, a surface modification strategy by introducing an oppositely charged dopant and inducing the charge transfer between the SAC and the substrate was proposed to improve the stability and catalytic performance of the non-noble Cu SAC. Using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it was demonstrated that the introduction of C in the MoS2 monolayer (C:MoS2, experimentally available) can assist in stabilizing Cu and make it more positively charged, which will facilitate the adsorption of the reactants and further enhance the activity for CO oxidation. Strikingly, our results show that CO oxidation over Cu-C:MoS2 is more favorable than over the Pt atom deposited on the pristine MoS2 (Pt-MoS2), exhibiting its potential in noble metal substitution and low-temperature CO oxidation. Additionally, Cu-C:MoS2 was observed to have a response to visible light, which manifests that it may be a promising photocatalyst. The strategy proposed here provides an efficient route to regulate the electronic structures of SACs through charge transfer, which further promotes the reactivity of the non-noble metal SACs. We hope that this strategy can contribute to design more SACs with low cost and high efficiency, which will be beneficial for their practical applications.

Tuning the Electronic Properties and Performance of Low-Temperature CO Oxidation of the Gold Cluster by Oriented External Electronic Field.

Conventional electronic rules, including Jellium and Wade-Mingos rules and so on, have long been successfully dedicated to design superatoms. These rules, however, rely on altering the intrinsic properties, for example, the compositions or the number of valence electrons, of clusters, which is relatively complicated and inconvenient to manipulate, especially in experiments. Herein, by employing density functional theory calculations, the oriented external electric field (OEEF) was demonstrated to possess the capability of precisely and continuously regulating the electronic properties of clusters at will, representing a novel and noninvasive methodology in constructing stable superatoms because it hardly changes the geometries of clusters. More interestingly, the active sites formed by the charge redistribution upon the introduction of an OEEF could significantly promote the catalytic performance of the low-temperature CO oxidation over clusters. Considering the convenient source of the OEEF, the findings highlighted here may boost the potential applications of superatom-assembly nanomaterials in catalysis and materials science.

Aerobic Exercise Intervention Alters Executive Function and White Matter Integrity in Deaf Children: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study examined the effects of an 11-week aerobic exercise intervention on executive function (EF) and white matter integrity (WMI). In total, 28 deaf children (aged 9-13 years) were randomly assigned to either an 11-week exercise intervention or the control group. All the children had behavioral assessment and diffusion tensor imaging prior to and following the exercise intervention. The behavioral performance results demonstrated that EF was enhanced by exercise. Relative to the control group, WMI of the exercise intervention group showed (1) lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the pontine crossing tract (PCT) and right cingulum (hippocampus) (CH), genu of the corpus callosum (gCC), right inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP), left superior corona radiata (SCR), and left superior frontooccipital fasciculus (SFOF); (2) higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the gCC, right CH, right inferior frontooccipital fasciculus (IFOF), and left anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC); and (3) lower MD in the left ICP and left tapetum (TAP). Furthermore, the lower FA in gCC showed a significant negative correlation with improvement in behavioral performance, but the correlation was not significant after FDR correction. These results suggest that exercise can effectively improve deaf children's EF and reshape the WMI in deaf children. The improved EF by exercise is not related to a reshaping of WMI, but more studies on the relationship between EF and WMI by exercise may be needed.

Perception of Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment in Individuals Receiving or Not Receiving Local Anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: Patients might refuse the offer of local anaesthesia (LA) administration prior to dental treatment. This study investigates subjective discomfort perception during non-surgical mechanical periodontal therapy delivered with or without LA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with mild to moderate chronic periodontitis and prior periodontal debridement experience were randomly enrolled in nonsurgical therapy of a quadrant with or without LA administration. Patients were free to comply or not with the allocated LA arrangement. Visual analogue scales (VAS) of discomfort perception at various stages of the treatment as well as overall satisfaction were recorded. Demographic, psychosocial and periodontal parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy not receiving (LA-) and 29 participants receiving LA (LA+) were studied. Compared to LA- patients, LA+ individuals perceived less discomfort during treatment and reported less dental anxiety (p<0.05). Lower overall treatment satisfaction was associated with prior unpleasant periodontal experience (p=0.047). Overall, debridement discomfort was associated with not receiving LA, noncompliance with the pain control regimen allocated, longer treatment duration, greater gingival inflammation and a higher percentage sites with probing pocket depths≥5 mm (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware that patients who refuse LA can experience higher dental anxiety and therefore may require various pain control strategies for comfort during nonsurgical periodontal therapy, which, if not employed, can lead to less periodontal treatment satisfaction.

[Dynamics of IL-22-producing cells of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamics of IL-22-producing cells and analyze the main source of IL-22 of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum. METHODS: The lymphocytes and splenocytes were prepared from lymphnodes and spleens of mice with S. japonicum infection at different stages (0 w, 3 w, 5w, 8 w, 13 w after infection). The proportions of IL-22-producing cells were determined by FACS. RESULTS: The proportions of IL-22-producing cells increased significantly in the lymphocytes and splenocytes from the mice infected with S. japonicum. The IL-22-producing T cells accounted 80% of the total IL-22-producing cells. The IL-22-producing CD4- T cells increased obviously in the 3rd week after S. japonicum infection. However, the proportion of the IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells began to rise since the 3rd week post-infection, and increased significantly at the 8th week after infection. CONCLUSION: In the lymphnodes and spleens of mice infected with S. japonicum, IL-22 is produced by both T cells and non-T cells, and T cells are the most important source of IL-22. The IL-22-producing CD4- T cells increase rapidly in the early acute inflammatory response, and the IL-22-producing CD4+ T cells increase significantly during the chronic inflammatory phase.

[Activities of treg cells stimulated by soluble adult worm antigen and egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the effects of soluble adult worm antigen (SWA) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma japonicum on the induction of Treg cells and the suppressive activity of Treg cells. METHOD: Splenocytes were prepared from mice treated with PBS, SWA, and SEA, respectively, and then the proportions of Treg cells and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta in Treg cells were determined by FACS. The purified Treg cells from the mice treated as above-mentioned were detected for their immunosuppressive activities by incorporation of [3H] thymidine for the final 16 h of culture. RESULTS: Compared to SWA, SEA induced the higher proportion of Treg cells with a stronger suppressive activity, which produced the higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SEA significantly induces Treg cells and enhances their immunosuppressive activity.

[Effects of soluble adult worm antigen and soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum on differentiation of CD4+ T cells of mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the different effects of soluble adult worm antigen (SWA) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) of Schistosoma japonicum on the differentiation of the splenocytes and CD4+ T cells of mice. METHODS: The splenocytes and CD4+ T cells were prepared from the spleens of mice immunized with SWA or SEA, or the splenocytes of normal mice were harvested and stimulated with SWA or SEA in vitro. Then, the proportions of IFN-gamma and IL-4-producing cells in splenocytes, and the proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells in CD4+ T cells were determined by FACS, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the SWA stimulation group, the higher proportions of IL-4-producing cells in splenocytes and of Th1 cells in CD4+ T cells were observed under the SEA stimulation group (P < 0.05). Whereas SWA induced the significantly higher proportions of IFN-gamma producing cells in splenocytes and of Th2 cells in CD4+ T cells than those in the SEA stimulation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The significantly higher levels of Th1 cells are only observed under SWA induction, however, the differentiation of Th2 cells in response to SEA stimulation is significantly more than that in response to SWA stimulation.

[Effects of Schistosoma japonicum heat-shock protein 40 on macrophage activation].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express heat-shock protein 40 gene of Schistosoma japonicum (SjHSP40) and analyze its effect on macrophage activation. METHODS: The fragment of gene encoding SjHSP40 was amplified by PCR. The gene was sub-cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-6P-1. The recombinant plasmid pGEX-6P-1-SjHSP40 was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) and induced with IPTG. The recombinant protein was purified with Glutathione-Sepharose 4B resin and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot. The fusion protein of GST-SjHSP40 was loaded to the macrophage cell-line RAW264.7 for 48 h. Following that, the surface molecules of the macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: DNA sequencing showed that the recombinant plasmid, pGEX-6P-1-SjHSP40, was successfully constructed. The fusion protein of GST-SjHSP40 was induced, purified and specifically recognized by anti-GST antibody. Compared to GST and medium control groups, this fusion protein significantly induced the expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, and CD86) and MHC-II on the surface of the macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: SjHSP40 significantly up-regulates the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC-II on the surface of the macrophages. These data indicate that SjHSP40 may initiate macrophage activation.

[Studies on dynamic changes of proportions of Tc1 and Tc2 cells during Schistosoma japonicum infection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic changes of the proportions of T cytotoxic type 1 (Tc1) cells and T cytotoxic type 2 (Tc2) cells and analyze the correlation of them with the dynamic changes of the proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells in T lymphocytes respectively at different stages after Schistosoma japonicum infection. METHOD: Splenocytes were prepared from spleens of mice with S. japonicum infection at different stages (0, 3, 5, 8, 13 weeks), and the proportions of Tc1, Tc2 and Th1, Th2 cells in T cells were determined by FACS, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the control group (0 week), the proportions of Tc1 cells significantly increased 3, 5, 8, 13 weeks post-infection (all P values < 0.01) and the proportions of Tc2 cells at different stages (5, 8, 13 weeks) post-infection also increased significantly (all P values < 0.01). During the first 3 weeks post-infection, the proportions of Tc1 cells increased most quickly than Tc2 cells did and Tc1 cells did at the other stages post-infection. However, the proportion of Tc2 cells increased most quickly 5 weeks post-infection than both Tc1 cells did and Tc2 cells did at the other stages post-infection. A positive correlation was found between the increases of the proportions of Thl cells and Tc1 cells ( r = 0.978, P = 0.004), and a positive correlation was also found between the increases of the proportions of Th2 cells and Tc2 cells ( r = 0.974, P = 0.005). The SWA stimulation of splenocytes of mice in vitro significantly increased the proportion of Tc1 cells (P < 0.01) while the SEA stimulation of splenocytes of mice in vitro significantly increased the proportion of Tc2 cells ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The proportions of Tc1 cells and Tc2 cells in T cells are significantly increased at different stages after S. japonicum infection. Tc1 cells are increased most quickly 3 weeks post-infection, and Tc2 cells are increased most quickly 5 weeks post-infection. A positive correlation is found between the proportions of Th cells and Tc cells in CD3+ T cells. SWA preferentially induces the increase of Tc1 cells in CD3+ T cells while SEA preferentially induces the increase of Tc2 cells in CD3+ T cells in vitro.