To reuse camellia husk waste and expand the scope of natural dyes, this research proposes pigment extraction from camellia husks and investigates various properties when applied on silk fabrics. ...Single-factor experiments were used to screen and optimize the dyeing process. The extracted pigments and dyed fibers were analyzed and characterized by LC-MS, FTIR and SEM, respectively. Six metal mordants were compared with each other, and their possible mordanting mechanisms were proposed. Color fastness, UV resistance, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties were evaluated after dyeing. The results showed that the optimal dyeing process was as follows: dyestuff mass 50 g L
−1
, holding time 45 min, bath pH 3.0, holding temperature 100 °C. LC-MS and FTIR results showed that the pigments in the extracts were mainly dimeric and multimeric procyanidins. Metal ion addition increased the
K
/
S
value while the pre-mordanting method had a superior dyeing depth. The rubbing and washing fastness of the dyed fabric were all above grade 4.0. Meanwhile, the dyed sample exhibited favorable UV resistance, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties, including a UPF index of 63.4 and an inhibition rate of 98.74% and 97.39% for
S. aureus
and
E. coli
, respectively.
The camellia husk natural dye extraction process.
Abstract
With the dramatic development of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies, the systematic decoding of cell-cell communication has received great research interest. To date, ...several in-silico methods have been developed, but most of them lack the ability to predict the communication pathways connecting the insides and outsides of cells. Here, we developed CellCall, a toolkit to infer inter- and intracellular communication pathways by integrating paired ligand-receptor and transcription factor (TF) activity. Moreover, CellCall uses an embedded pathway activity analysis method to identify the significantly activated pathways involved in intercellular crosstalk between certain cell types. Additionally, CellCall offers a rich suite of visualization options (Circos plot, Sankey plot, bubble plot, ridge plot, etc.) to present the analysis results. Case studies on scRNA-seq datasets of human testicular cells and the tumor immune microenvironment demonstrated the reliable and unique functionality of CellCall in intercellular communication analysis and internal TF activity exploration, which were further validated experimentally. Comparative analysis of CellCall and other tools indicated that CellCall was more accurate and offered more functions. In summary, CellCall provides a sophisticated and practical tool allowing researchers to decipher intercellular communication and related internal regulatory signals based on scRNA-seq data. CellCall is freely available at https://github.com/ShellyCoder/cellcall.
The purpose of this study was to analyze tear cytokine and complement levels in patients diagnosed with acute ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) and examine the consistency of these levels with ...the severity of clinical manifestations.
Ten patients with acute oGVHD (20 eyes) were enrolled for the assessment of tear cytokine levels and ocular surface parameters, and 18 healthy people (36 eyes) were selected as the control group. The tear cytokine and complement levels were measured using microsphere-based immunoassay analysis.
The main clinical manifestations of acute oGVHD include eye redness, a large amount of purulent exudate, eye pain, and even false membranes. The levels of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin 7 (IL-7), B-cell activating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and complement in patients with acute oGVHD showed significant differences compared with those in normal people. Furthermore, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, EGF, GM-CSF, IL-7, and C3a showed a stronger correlation with ocular surface parameters.
Our study was the first to enroll patients with acute oGVHD to assess tear cytokine levels as a method contributing to the diagnosis of acute oGVHD. In addition, it has been demonstrated that certain tear cytokines, including intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, IL-6, IL-1β, interleukin 8, B-cell activating factor, GM-CSF, IL-7, EGF, and complement, may be new diagnostic biomarkers for acute oGVHD.
Mechanoluminescence (ML) has received widespread attention because of potential application in stress sensors and imaging. However, pursuing highly efficient ML remains a challenge due to ...multifactorial limitations such as pressure and loading rate. Here, we systematically investigate pressure- and rate-dependent ML in Mn2+ and Eu3+ co-doped ZnS in a gigapascal pressure range by using a high-pressure dynamic diamond anvil cell and microsecond time-resolved fluorescent methods and demonstrate the giant tunability in both ML efficiency and wavelength. Compressed from ambient pressure to 11 GPa at different compression rates, ZnS: Mn2+, Eu3+ exhibits a volcano shape in ML emission efficiency with an optimum at ∼3.5 GPa and ∼211.1 GPa/s, at least 1000-fold higher than that measured in the MPa range. The pressure-dependent ML is accompanied with a tunable yellow-to-red emission color change. A combination of high-pressure X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements reveals that the pressure- and rate-dependent ML behavior derives from pressure-induced strengthening of the crystal piezoelectric field and enhanced interaction between the host lattice and doped ions with a significant change of the energy level of the Mn ion. Significantly, the highly efficient ML of ZnS: Mn2+, Eu3+ at the GPa level is reproducible under a compression-decompression process and can be manipulated on a micron scale, implying great potential in mechanical-optical energy conversion and application in dynamic pressure imaging, stress sensors, and multicolor displays.
Shugan Xiaozhi (SGXZ) decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine used for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It has been used clinically for over 20 years and proved to be effective; ...however, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of SGXZ decoction remains unclear.
We analyzed the chemical components, core targets, and molecular mechanisms of SGXZ decoction to improve NASH through network pharmacology and in vivo experiments.
The chemical components, core targets, and related signaling pathways of SGXZ decoction intervention in NASH were predicted using network pharmacology. Molecular docking was performed to verify chemical components and their core targets. The results were validated in the NASH model treated with SGXZ decoction. Mouse liver function was assessed by measuring ALT and AST levels. TC and TG levels were determined to evaluate lipid metabolism, and lipid deposition was assessed via oil red O staining. Mouse liver damage was determined via microscopy following hematoxylin and eosin staining. Liver fibrosis was assessed via Masson staining. Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed to detect inflammation and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, MCP1, p53, FAS, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, Bid, Cytochrome c, Bcl-2, and Bcl-XL. In addition, WB and IHC were used to assess protein expression associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, and nobiletin in SGXZ decoction were effective chemical components in improving NASH, and TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were the major core targets. Molecular docking indicated that these chemical components and major core targets might interact. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the pathways affected by SGXZ decoction, primarily including apoptosis and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways, interfere with NASH. In vivo experiments indicated that SGXZ decoction considerably ameliorated liver damage, fibrosis, and lipid metabolism disorder in MCD-induced NASH mouse models. In addition, WB and IHC verified the underlying molecular mechanisms of SGXZ decoction as predicted via network pharmacology. SGXZ decoction inhibited the activation of apoptosis-related pathways in MCD-induced NASH mice. Moreover, SGXZ decoction suppressed the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in MCD-induced NASH mice.
SGXZ decoction can treat NASH through multiple targets and pathways. These findings provide new insights into the effective treatment of NASH using SGXZ decoction.
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•Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a kind of fatty liver disease.•Shugan Xiaozhi (SGXZ) decoction has the effect of protecting liver function.•SGXZ decoction could improve NASH by inhibiting apoptosis signalling pathways.•SGXZ decoction might alleviate NASH though suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) causes severe visual impairment. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), soluble CD59 (sCD59), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) ...are potential therapeutic agents for nAMD, which target angiogenesis and the complement system. Using the AAV2/8 vector, two bi-target gene therapy agents, AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59, were generated, and their therapeutic efficacy was investigated in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and Vldlr-/- mouse models. After a single injection, AAV2/8-mediated gene expression was maintained at high levels in the retina for two months. Both AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59 significantly reduced CNV development for an extended period without side effects and provided efficacy similar to two injections of current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy. Mechanistically, these agents suppressed the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways, resulting in anti-angiogenic activity. This study demonstrated the safety and long-lasting effects of AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59 in CNV treatment, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for nAMD.Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) causes severe visual impairment. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), soluble CD59 (sCD59), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) are potential therapeutic agents for nAMD, which target angiogenesis and the complement system. Using the AAV2/8 vector, two bi-target gene therapy agents, AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59, were generated, and their therapeutic efficacy was investigated in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and Vldlr-/- mouse models. After a single injection, AAV2/8-mediated gene expression was maintained at high levels in the retina for two months. Both AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59 significantly reduced CNV development for an extended period without side effects and provided efficacy similar to two injections of current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy. Mechanistically, these agents suppressed the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways, resulting in anti-angiogenic activity. This study demonstrated the safety and long-lasting effects of AAV2/8-PEDF-P2A-sCD59 and AAV2/8-sFLT-1-P2A-sCD59 in CNV treatment, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for nAMD.
Developing self-assembled biomedical materials based on insect proteins is highly desirable due to their advantages of green, rich, and sustainable characters as well as excellent biocompatibility, ...which has been rarely explored. Herein, salt-induced controllable self-assembly, antibacterial performance, and infectious wound healing performance of an insect cuticle protein ( Of CPH-2) originating from the Ostrinia furnacalis larva head capsule are investigated. Interestingly, the addition of salts could trigger the formation of beaded nanofibrils with uniform diameter, whose length highly depends on the salt concentration. Surprisingly, the Of CPH-2 nanofibrils not only could form functional films with broad-spectrum antibacterial abilities but also could promote infectious wound healing. More importantly, a possible wound healing mechanism was proposed, and it is the strong abilities of Of CPH-2 nanofibrils in promoting vascular formation and antibacterial activity that facilitate the process of infectious wound healing. Our exciting findings put forward instructive thoughts for developing innovative bioinspired materials based on insect proteins for wound healing and related biomedical fields.
We aimed to investigate the preventive effect of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-A box and the mechanism by which it alleviates inflammatory injury in acute liver failure (ALF) by inhibiting the ...extracellular release of HMGB1. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered LPS/D-GalN to establish an ALF mouse model. HMGB1-A box was administered (i.p.) 1 h before establishing the ALF mouse model. The levels of extracellularly released HMGB1, TLR-4/NF-κB signaling molecules, the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and COX-2 were measured in the liver tissue and/or serum by Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of extracellularly released HMGB1, TLR-4/NF-κB signaling molecules and proinflammatory cytokines were measured in Huh7 cells as well as LPS- and/or HMGB1-A box treatment by confocal microscopy, Western blotting and ELISA. In the ALF mouse model, the levels of HMGB1 were significantly increased both in the liver and serum, TLR-4/NF-κB signaling molecules and proinflammatory cytokines also was upregulated. Notably, HMGB1-A box could reverse these changes. HMGB1-A box could also cause these changes in LPS-induced Huh7 cells. HMGB1-A box played a protective role by inhibiting inflammatory liver injury
via
the regulation of HMGB1/TLR-4/NF-κB signaling in the LPS/D-GaIN-induced ALF mouse model, which may be related to inhibiting the extracellular release of HMGB1.
This paper studies positive realness and negative imaginariness of state-space symmetric systems. First, a necessary and sufficient condition is provided for a state-space symmetric system to be, ...respectively, positive real and negative imaginary. Then an explicit formulation for the infimum of H∞ norm under a mixed H∞ and negative imaginary performance and an explicit solution for the associated optimal static output feedback control gain are developed based on symmetric negative imaginary theorem. Finally, three examples are provided to illustrate the main results of the paper.
This paper provides an analysis of uncertain discrete-time negative imaginary and positive real systems with state-space symmetry. First, a necessary and sufficient condition is provided for a ...minimal state-space symmetric system to be discrete-time positive real or discrete-time negative imaginary. Then, based on the discrete-time symmetric negative imaginary and positive real lemmas, bounds on symmetrically structured perturbations that maintain the negative imaginariness and positive realness of a discrete-time state-space symmetric system are derived. Finally, an RL network example is provided to illustrate the main results of the paper.
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