Postoperative pulmonary complications in older patients undergoing elective surgery with a supraglottic airway device or tracheal intubation.

The two most commonly used airway management techniques during general anaesthesia are supraglottic airway devices and tracheal tubes. In older patients undergoing elective non-cardiothoracic surgery under general anaesthesia with positive pressure ventilation, we hypothesised that a composite measure of in-hospital postoperative pulmonary complications would be less frequent when a supraglottic airway device was used compared with a tracheal tube. We studied patients aged ≥ 70 years in 17 clinical centres. Patients were allocated randomly to airway management with a supraglottic airway device or a tracheal tube. Between August 2016 and April 2020, 2900 patients were studied, of whom 2751 were included in the primary analysis (1387 with supraglottic airway device and 1364 with a tracheal tube). Pre-operatively, 2431 (88.4%) patients were estimated to have a postoperative pulmonary complication risk index of 1-2. Postoperative pulmonary complications, mostly coughing, occurred in 270 of 1387 patients (19.5%) allocated to a supraglottic airway device and 342 of 1364 patients (25.1%) assigned to a tracheal tube (absolute difference -5.6% (95%CI -8.7 to -2.5), risk ratio 0.78 (95%CI 0.67-0.89); p < 0.001). Among otherwise healthy older patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia with intra-operative positive pressure ventilation of their lungs, there were fewer postoperative pulmonary complications when the airway was managed with a supraglottic airway device compared with a tracheal tube.

[Application status of CFD technology in occupational hazard control].

In the process of occupational hazard management, computational fluid dynamics technology can be used to reflect the distribution pattern of occupational hazards in the production process, so as to quickly and accurately guide the formulation of occupational disease prevention and control programs. This paper summarizes and analyzes the current research results on the prevention and control of occupational hazards in workplaces through computational fluid dynamics technology, and describes the application of these research results in the process of occupational disease prevention and control. On this basis, this paper presents the problems and application limitations of existing research and points out the future key research directions, which are of great reference value for guiding further systematic and in-depth research on simulation, experimentation and management of occupational hazards that can cause occupational diseases.

Enhanced O-succinyl-l-homoserine production by recombinant Escherichia coli ΔIJBB*TrcmetL/pTrc-metAfbr -Trc-thrAfbr -yjeH via multilevel fermentation optimization.

AIMS: Constructing a strain with high yield of O-succinyl-l-homoserine (OSH) and improving the titre through multilevel fermentation optimization. METHODS AND RESULTS: OSH high-yielding strain was first constructed by deleting the thrB gene to block the threonine biosynthesis. Single-factor experiment was carried out, where a Plackett-Burman design was used to screen out three factors (glucose, yeast and threonine) from the original 11 factors that affected the titre of OSH. The Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the fermentation conditions. Through gene editing and medium optimization, the titre of OSH increased from 7·20 to 8·70 g l-1 in 500 ml flask. Furthermore, the fermentation process and fed-batch fermentation conditions including pH, temperature, feeding strategy and feeding medium were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the titre of OSH reached 102·5 g l-1 , which is 5·6 times higher than before (15·6 g l-1 ). CONCLUSIONS: O-succinyl-l-homoserine fermentation process was established and the combination of response surface methodology and metabolic pathway analysis effectively improved the titre of OSH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study, the titre of OSH reached the needs for industrial production and the metabolic pathway of OSH was demonstrated for further optimization.

Effects of lipids and surfactants on the fermentation production of echinocandin B by Aspergillus nidulans.

AIMS: Echinocandin B (ECB) is a kind of lipopeptide antifungal antibiotic, as well as the key precursor of antifungal drug Anidulafungin. Its efficient bioproduction plays an important role in promoting the industrial production of Anidulafungin. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, methyl oleate and Tween 80 were firstly used to enhance the ECB fermentation by Aspergillus nidulans, the results showed that the ECB titre was significantly enhanced with the addition of methyl oleate and Tween 80. Among the lipids, methyl oleate was found to play a pivotal role in increasing the ECB titre to 2123 mg l-1 , which was more than five times higher than that of the control. The addition of Tween 80 in the medium resulted in ECB titre increased to 2584 mg l-1 . The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN) assay indicated that Tween 80 could influence the cell membrane permeability of A. nidulans, and enhance the intracellular and extracellular substance exchange, therefore lead to the increasing of ECB titre. CONCLUSIONS: Methyl oleate and Tween 80 are optimal carbon sources and surfactants for efficient ECB biosynthesis respectively. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Surfactant was used in ECB fermentation for the first time, which provided feasible ideas for optimizing the fermentation process of other fungi.

Improvement of gibberellin production by a newly isolated Fusarium fujikuroi mutant.

AIMS: To obtain and investigate the potential mechanism for GA3 production in Fusarium fujikuroi GA-251, a high GA3 producer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fusarium fujikuroi IMI 58289 was bred with Cobalt-60 (60 Co) radiation and lithium chloride treatment. The best mutant strain GA-251 was obtained for the subsequent optimization of fermentation conditions. The yield of GA3 by GA-251 was 2100 mg l-1 , while the wild-type strain was 100 mg l-1 , which is a 21-fold increase in the yield. To elucidate the mechanism of high GA3 yield of GA-251, the genome was sequenced and compared with wild-type strain IMI 58289. The results showed 2295 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 1242 small indels and 30 structural variants. These mutations were analysed and enriched in the MAPK signalling pathway, the mRNA surveillance pathway and endocytosis. The potential reasons for the improved GA3 biosynthesis were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The potential mechanism of high GA3 yield was attributed to endocytosis pathway and histone modification proteins family. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A mutant strain GA-251 in this work that could potentially be utilized in the industrial yield of GA3 . The comparative genome analysis would shed light onto the mechanism of yield improvement and be a theoretical guide for further metabolic engineering.

[The effect of blocking penile blood drainage on stem cells therapy for rats with erectile dysfunction].

Objective: To investigate the effect of blocking penile blood drainage at the root of the rat penis on cell retention, penile erectile function, and histopathological changes when erectile dysfunction (ED) is treated by intracavernous injection (ICI) of stem cells. Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=6), ED model group (n=6), treatment group A (blockade group, n=9) and treatment group B (non-blockade group, n=9). Twenty-four hours after the model was established, group A and group B were treated by ICI of 1 × 10(6) adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Before ICI, the penile blood drainage in group A was temporarily blocked with a rubber tourniquet at the root of the penis which was removed 5 minutes after the injection. The dynamic changes of the local fluorescent signal of the penis and the expression of the fluorescent signal in the lung were detected after ICI. The maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) was measured to evaluatethe erectile function, and histopathological changes of the penis were observed after 28 days. Results: At different time points (0, 10 and 60 min), the intensity of the bioluminescent signal (×10(6)·p·s(-1)·sr·cm(-2)) in group A had a similar trend when compared with that in group B, and the differences were not statistically significant (8.76±1.17 vs 8.16±1.12, 6.45±1.47 vs 6.72±0.69, 3.77±0.30 vs 3.36±1.06, all P>0.05). A large number of ADSCs could be found in the lungs in both treatment groups after 60 min of ICI. There was no statistically significant difference in erectile function (0.44±0.11 vs 0.43±0.07) and histopathological change (0.08±0.02 vs 0.08±0.03) regardless of the occlusion of blood drainage at the root of the penis (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Temporarily blocking of penile blood drainage has no obvious advantage in improving cell retention and efficacy when ADSCs are used to treat ED of rat models.

[Current status and prospects of population exposure assessment of nanomaterials consumer products].

With the wide application of nanomaterials in consumer products in the market, it is necessary to understand the existence and release of nanomaterials in consumer products, as well as the current situation of exposure assessment of consumers. China has been a large industrial producer with a huge consumer market, but the supervision of consumer goods with nanomaterials is almost blank. This article summarized and classified the existing consumer products of nanomaterials in the international market, and discussed the release of key nanomaterials in consumer products and the exposure assessment methods of consumers, in order to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a regulatory system for consumer products of nanomaterials in China in the future.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is required in the maintenance of immune regulatory competency of immune regulatory monocytes.

Dysfunction of the immune regulatory system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has multiple bioactivities. This study aims to investigate the role of VIP in the maintenance of the immune regulatory capacity of monocytes (Mos). Human peripheral blood samples were collected from RA patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Mos and CD14+ CD71- CD73+ CD25+ regulatory Mos (RegMos) were isolated from the blood samples and characterized by flow cytometry. A rat RA model was developed to test the role of VIP in the maintenance of the immune regulatory function of Mos. The results showed that RegMos of HC subjects had immune suppressive functions. RegMos of RA patients expressed less interleukin (IL)-10 and showed an incompetent immune regulatory capacity. Serum levels of VIP were lower in RA patients, which were positively correlated with the expression of IL-10 in RegMos. In-vitro experiments showed that the IL-10 mRNA decayed spontaneously in RegMos, which could be prevented by the presence of VIP in the culture. VIP suppressed the effects of tristetraprolin (TTP) on inducing IL-10 mRNA decay in RegMos. Administration of VIP inhibited experimental RA in rats through restoring the IL-10 expression in RegMos. RegMos have immune suppressive functions. VIP is required in maintaining IL-10 expression in RegMos. The data suggest that VIP has translational potential in the treatment of immune disorders such as RA.

[Effect of different plasma treated zirconia on the adhensive behaviour of human gingival fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment on the surface chemical and physical properties of zirconia and adhensive behaviour of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) cultured on zirconia disks. METHODS: The zirconia disks were divided into four groups and treated using helium, argon and mixture of argon and oxygen cold atmospheric plasma for 90 s or left untreated. The surface morphology, wettability and chemical elements were analyzed right after treatment. Human gingival fibroblasts were grown from biopsies obtained from a periodontally healthy human subject during periodontal surgery. HGFs were seeded on zirconia disk, and cells density was measured at the time point of 3 hours. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) was performed for morphometric examination at the time point of 3 hours. RESULTS: The crystallographic structure of zirconia was analyzed previously and the results suggested that it fitted the properties of zirconium yttrium oxide. After helium, argon and mixture of argon and oxygen cold atmospheric plasma treatment, the surface morphology and roughness of zirconia disks remained the same. The contact angle of zirconia decreased significantly(P<0.05)after CAP treatment: from 68.38° to 17.90°. After different CAP plasmas treatment, the atomic percentage of carbon on the outermost surface of the three groups decreased, as did the surface C/O ratio. The surface C/O ratio of zirconia decreased from 1.07 to 0.33. Fibroblasts density increased on CAP treated disks, especially the ones treated by mixture of argon and oxygen CAP(P<0.05). Cells of the three CAP plasma treatment groups spread better and had more protrusions, as well as larger surficial areas. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study after being treated by different kinds of CAP plasmas for 90 s, the surface wettability increased and the elements changed significantly with no changes in the tomography and roughness of the materials. The CAP treatment enhances the adhensive behavior of fibroblasts on zirconia by increasing the oxygen functional groups and promoting the cell density. Wettability of zirconia, an important physicochemical property, has a vital influence on the cell behaviors.

[Clinical features and short-term prognosis of Holmes' tremor].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of Holmes' tremor (HT) patients. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of HT patients in 5 teaching hospitals between January 2014 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) was used to compare the clinical severity and short-term prognosis between the different subtypes. Results: (1) The time from primary disease to tremor onset was 2 days to 20 months (median time 29 d) in 23 patients with HT enrolled, and the most common cause of HT was cerebrovascular disease (78.3%). (2) The most common involved locations were midbrain (65.2%), thalamus (47.8%) and cerebellum (30.4%). No significant difference in total TRS scores between the isolated lesion group (12 cases) and multiple lesions group (11 cases) (P=0.57), while the scores of the mesencephalic group (15 cases) was significantly higher than the non-mesencephalic group (8 cases) (P=0.00). (3) One case was treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS), while 22 cases were treated with medical therapy. Levodopa combined with clonazepam (7/12) and single levodopa (9/20) were partially effective. (4) At the 3-month follow-up after discharge, patients received DBS had good prognosis. Among the 22 patients treated with medicine, only 8 (36.4%) patients had good outcomes. The short-term prognosis was not significantly different between the isolated and multiple lesion groups (P=0.40), while it was worse in the mesencephalic group than the non-mesencephalic group (P=0.02). Conclusion: The most common cause of HT is cerebrovascular disease, and primary lesions are midbrain, thalamus, and cerebellum. The pharmacologic agents are partially valid for disease control of HT and the short-term prognosis is poor, while the patients with mesencephalic involvement have more severe tremor and worse prognosis.

[Changes of surgical interventions on necrotizing pancreatitis].

Objective: To investigate the changes of surgical invitations on necrotizing pancreatitis in recent 14 years by reviewing single center data. Methods: One thousand and eighty patients with necrotizing pancreatitis who received surgical invitation were involved in the study.All the patients were treated at Department of Pancreatic Surgery,Union Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2005 to December 2018. Six hundred and seventy-eight were males and 402 were females. The median (range) age of the study patients was 45 (20-76) years.The etiology of the disease was related to cholelithiasis in 335 cases(31.02%), hyperlipemia in 302 cases(27.96%), alcohol in 226 cases(20.93%), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 28 cases(2.59%), pregnancy in 50 cases(4.63%), idiopathic factors in 72 cases(6.67%) and other causes in 67 cases(6.20%). The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of admission. Group 1 included 1 475 patients that admitted from January 2005 to December 2010, and group 2 included 1 539 patients that admitted from January 2011 to December 2018. The surgical interventions, morbidity and mortality of the two group were compared, and χ(2) test was used for the statistical test. Results: Two hundred and sixty-six among the 1 080 cases were treated with drainage procedures because of the pseudocyst.One hundred and seventy-five drainage procedures were performed between January 2005 and December 2018, which account for 11.87%(175 /1 475) of all patients of necrotizing pancreatitis; 91 drainage procedures were performed between January 2011 and December 2018,which account for 5.91%(91/1 539) of all patients of necrotizing pancreatitis. Eight hundred and fourteen cases received surgical intervention for infection of necrotizing tissues. Of these cases, 410 cases received percutaneous catheter drainage(PCD) of retroperitoneal fluid or residual infection. Debridement of necrotic tissues was performed on 756 cases. Of these cases, 32 cases received minimal invasive retroperitoneal debridement with/without denotes video assistant,4 cases received transluminal endoscopic debridement, 21 cases received laparoscopic debridement, and 709 cases received open laparotic debridement.Three hundred and sixty-five cases were admitted to our institute during January 2005 to December 2010, and the other 391 cases were admitted to our institute from January 2011 to December 2018. Of the first period, all debridement were performed with open laparotic procedures. Of the second period,debridement were performed with open laparotic procedures and minimal invasive procedures. The average times of surgical invasion, morbidity of principal local complications and mortality of the two periods were 1.27 and 1.34,28.22%(103/365) and 29.92%(117/346),and 6.03%(23/365) and 6.91%(27/346), respectively. Conclusions: Minimal invasive procedures can be considered for debridement in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis in some selected conditions.The involvements of minimal invasive procedures in treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis don't decrease the morbidity of principal local complications and mortality in recent years. Rational surgical procedures and appropriate surgical timing are the keys to improve the efficacy of necrotizing pancreatitis.

Vitamin D receptor interacts with NLRP3 to restrict the allergic response.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates various biochemical activities between the cytoplasm and the nucleus in the cell. The nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) protein is involved in the T helper type 2 (Th2) response. This study tests a hypothesis that VDR interacts with NLRP3 to restrict the Th2-biased response. In this study, VDR-/- mice and WT (WT) mice were used. Th2 cell differentiation between VDR-/- mice and WT mice was observed. We observed that CD4+ T cell activation was higher in VDR-/- mice. The VDR-/-CD4+ T cells were prone to Th2 polarization. VDR-/- mice produced more immunoglobulin (Ig)E. VDR bound NLRP3 to prevent Th2 differentiation by restricting IL4 gene transcription. Th2 biased inflammation spontaneously developed in the intestine of VDR-/- mice. In conclusion, VDR binds NLRP3 to restrict IL4 gene transcription and prevent biased Th2 polarization.

Targeting histone-acetyltransferase Tat-interactive protein 60 inhibits intestinal allergy.

BACKGROUND: The overproduction of IgE plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergy; the mechanism is unclear. Histone-acetyltransferase (HAT) activities are required in gene transcription of a large number of molecules in the immune system of the body. OBJECTIVES: This study tests a hypothesis that HAT Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) plays an important role in the initiation of IgE-mediated allergy. METHODS: The effects of Tip60 on regulating IgE expression were assessed with B cells. An intestinal allergy mouse model was developed to assess the role of Tip60 in the induction of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation. RESULTS: High levels of Tip60 were observed in the peripheral B cells of patients with FA. Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) was required in the expression of IgE and IgG1 in B cells by inducing the chromatin remolding at the gene locus, in which histone acetylation, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and nuclear factor-κB at the locus of Iε promoter were markedly increased. Blocking Tip60 significantly attenuated the allergic inflammation in the mouse intestinal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) plays an important role in the induction of IgE in B cells. Blocking Tip60 inhibits the allergic inflammation in the intestine, suggesting Tip60 inhibitor may be a potential anti-allergy drug.

Long-term effects: Galectin-1 and specific immunotherapy for allergic responses in the intestine.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mast cell activation interferes with the effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is capable of regulating immune cells' functions. This study tests the hypothesis that administration of Gal-1 promotes and prolongs the efficacy of SIT via suppressing mast cell activation. METHODS: An intestinal allergy mouse model was developed. The coadministration of SIT and Gal-1 on suppression of the allergic responses, prevention of mast cell activation, and generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Treg) in the intestine was observed in sensitized mice. RESULTS: The coadministration of Gal-1 and SIT markedly suppressed the allergic responses in the mouse intestine vs the use of either SIT alone or Gal-1 alone. The Gal-1 binds to the IgE/FcɛRI complexes on the surface of mast cells to prevent mast cell activation during SIT. Gal-1 promoted the SIT-generated allergen-specific Tregs in the intestine of sensitized mice. Coadministration of Gal-1 and SIT significantly enhanced the efficacy of immunotherapy in suppressing allergic responses in the intestine, which lasted for at least for 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term effects of specific immunotherapy on intestinal allergy can be achieved with Gal-1/SIT therapy by inhibiting mast cell activation and facilitating Treg development.

Effect of mannose on the lung function of rats with acute pancreatitis.

The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which mannose protects the lung injury induced in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). An AP combined with Acute Lung Injury (ALI) model was established. A total of 90 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (300±50g weight) were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (SO group), severe acute pancreatitis lung injury group (SAP group), and mannose intervention group (MT group). Subsequently, each group was divided into two subgroups based on the time passed from intervention, namely 6 and 12 h. Each subgroup comprised 15 rats. The ratio of wet/dry weight of the lung tissue exhibited no significant change at different time points in the SO group. This parameter was significantly increased in the SAP group compared with the SO group at each time point of the treatment (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly lower in the MT group than that in the AP group (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly increased in the AP group at each time (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The levels of TNF-α in the lung tissue in the SO group exhibited no significant change at different time points, but they were significantly decreased in the MT group at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SAP group. The mannose receptor (MR) mRNA and protein levels in the lung tissues exhibited no significant change at different time points. The mRNA and protein levels of MR in the SAP group were significantly decreased at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The mRNA and protein levels of MR, in the lung tissue of the MT group were significantly increased at each time point compared with the SAP group (P less than 0.05). Mannose could reduce the injury caused to the lung tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis by up-regulation of the expression of MR mRNA and protein.

[Spatial-temporal analysis on the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among permanent residence and migrants in Shanghai, 2005-2015].

Objective: To describe the spatial and temporal characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) in permanent residents and migrants in Shanghai during 2005 to 2015 and provide suggestions for the HIV/AIDS prevention. Methods: The data of HIV/AIDS was collected from the National HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Information Management System based on report date. The population data was collected from the statistical yearbook of Shanghai. Spatial analysis was conducted using the hotspots model in ArcGIS. SaTScan software was employed to determine the distribution of HIV clusters in space, time or both. Results: During 2005 to 2015, a total of 13 498 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in Shanghai. The prevalence of HIV increased from 0.025/10(5) (450 cases) to 0.093/10(5) (2 236 cases). The prevalence of AIDS increased from 0.002/10(5) (32 cases) to 0.028/10(5) (683 cases). Hotspot analysis showed that the hot spot of incidence of migrants had moved from Hongkou (2005) (Z=2.96, P=0.003) to Changning (2006-2015) (all Z>1.96, P<0.05); whereas the hot spot of incidence of permanent residents had moving from Jinshan (2005-2007) (all Z>2.58, P<0.01) to downtown area (2006-2015) (all Z>1.96, P<0.05). The spatial high clusters of HIV and AIDS were same, including Huangpu, Xuhui, Changning, Jingan, Putuo, Hongkou and Yangpu; The temporal high clusters of HIV cases among permanent residents were 2011 to 2015, and the spatial clusters were Huangpu, Xuhui, Changning, Jingan. The temporal high clusters of HIV cases among migrants were 2014 to 2015, and the spatial clusters was Xuhui, Changning, Jingan. Conclusion: The total HIV/AIDS incidence in Shanghai was clustered in downtown area. The cluster of the incidence of the permanent residents had moving towards that of migrants, indicating the cluster area deserves a close surveillance.

Vitamin D regulates immunoglobulin mucin domain molecule-4 expression in dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cell (DC)-derived immunoglobulin domain molecule (TIM)4 plays a critical role in the initiation of T helper (Th)2 polarization. Vitamin D (VitD) involves the regulation of a number of immune responses. OBJECTIVES: This study tests a hypothesis that VitD regulates TIM4 expression in DCs. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and healthy subjects. DCs were isolated from the samples and analyzed for the expression of TIM4. RESULTS: We observed that the levels of calcitriol, the active form of VitD3, in the sera of AR patients were lower than that in healthy subjects. The peripheral DC expressed higher levels of TIM4 and lower levels of VDR. A negative correlation was identified between the data of serum calcitriol and TIM4 in DCs. Exposure DCs to calcitriol in the culture increased the expression of VDR. We also found that VDR bound to the TIM4 promoter locus in DCs to repress the TIM4 gene transcription and expression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: VitD deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of AR by increasing the TIM4 expression. The results suggest that to regulate the serum calcitriol levels and the expression of VDR in DCs may be necessary to be taken into account in the treatment of AR.

Optically pumped lasing with a Q-factor exceeding 6000 from wet-etched GaN micro-pyramids.

We report the observation of room-temperature optically pumped lasing modes from a single GaN pyramid microcavity on a metallic mirror. The mode at 367.2 nm exhibits a low threshold (0.4-0.5 MW/cm2) and a narrow linewidth (0.054 nm), by which the quality factor can be estimated to be >6000. These lasing behaviors can be attributed to the specific wet-etching approach by selectively etching away defects and pyramid geometry with bottom Ag reflectors for better light confinement. Optical resonances in these pyramids are further investigated in combination with three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations.

Electron Accumulation and Emergent Magnetism in LaMnO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} Heterostructures.

Emergent phenomena at polar-nonpolar oxide interfaces have been studied intensely in pursuit of next-generation oxide electronics and spintronics. Here we report the disentanglement of critical thicknesses for electron reconstruction and the emergence of ferromagnetism in polar-mismatched LaMnO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} (001) heterostructures. Using a combination of element-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy and dichroism, and first-principles calculations, interfacial electron accumulation, and ferromagnetism have been observed within the polar, antiferromagnetic insulator LaMnO_{3}. Our results show that the critical thickness for the onset of electron accumulation is as thin as 2 unit cells (UC), significantly thinner than the observed critical thickness for ferromagnetism of 5 UC. The absence of ferromagnetism below 5 UC is likely induced by electron overaccumulation. In turn, by controlling the doping of the LaMnO_{3}, we are able to neutralize the excessive electrons from the polar mismatch in ultrathin LaMnO_{3} films and thus enable ferromagnetism in films as thin as 3 UC, extending the limits of our ability to synthesize and tailor emergent phenomena at interfaces and demonstrating manipulation of the electronic and magnetic structures of materials at the shortest length scales.

Protease-activated receptor-2 suppresses interleukin (IL)-10 expression in B cells via upregulating Bcl2L12 in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The function of interleukin (IL)-10-producing B cells (B10 cell) is compromised in patients with allergic diseases. Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 has immunoregulatory functions. This study aimed to elucidate the role of PAR2 in the suppression of IL-10 expression in peripheral B cells. METHODS: Peripheral blood B cells were collected from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). A correlation between the expression of Bcl2-like protein 12 (Bcl2L12) and IL-10 in the B cells was analyzed. An AR mouse model was developed. RESULTS: We observed that the expression of IL-10 was lower in the peripheral B cells from patients with airway allergy. A negative correlation was identified between the expression of IL-10 and PAR2 in B cells. Activation of PAR2 of B cells increased the expression of Bcl2L12 and suppression of LPS-induced IL-10 expression, which were inhibited by knocking down the Bcl2L12 gene. Treating B cells from AR patients with Bcl2L12-shRNA-carrying liposomes reversed the capability of IL-10 expression and the immunosuppressive function. Administration of Bcl2L12 shRNA-carrying liposomes attenuated experimental AR in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of PAR2 inhibits the expression of IL-10 in B cells, which can be reversed by treating B cells with Bcl2L12 shRNA-carrying liposomes. The data suggest that regulation of Bcl2L12 may be a novel approach in the treatment for AR.