High-efficiency blue phosphorescence emission is essential for organic optoelectronic applications. However, synthesizing heavy-atom-free organic systems having high triplet energy levels and ...suppressed non-radiative transitions-key requirements for efficient blue phosphorescence-has proved difficult. Here we demonstrate a simple chemical strategy for achieving high-performance blue phosphors, based on confining isolated chromophores in ionic crystals. Formation of high-density ionic bonds between the cations of ionic crystals and the carboxylic acid groups of the chromophores leads to a segregated molecular arrangement with negligible inter-chromophore interactions. We show that tunable phosphorescence from blue to deep blue with a maximum phosphorescence efficiency of 96.5% can be achieved by varying the charged chromophores and their counterions. Moreover, these phosphorescent materials enable rapid, high-throughput data encryption, fingerprint identification and afterglow display. This work will facilitate the design of high-efficiency blue organic phosphors and extend the domain of organic phosphorescence to new applications.
•The developed latanoprost-loaded hydrogel showed a sustained release profile.•The developed hydrogel showed the both in-vitro and in-vivo biocompatibility.•Intraocular pressure was decreased within ...7 days after treatment with the hydrogel.•Latanoprost acid was detected in the aqueous humor for 7 days.•The hydrogel may provide a way for long-term intraocular pressure control.
Ocular hypertension is a major risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma. Frequent and long-term application of latanoprost often causes undesirable local side effects, which are a major cause of therapeutic failure due to loss of persistence in using this glaucoma medical therapy. In the present study, we developed a thermosensitive chitosan-based hydrogel as a topical eye drop formulation for the sustained release of latanoprost to control ocular hypertension. The developed formulation without preservatives may improve compliance and possibly even efficacy. The results of this study support its biocompatibility and sustained-release profile both in vitro and in vivo. After topical application of latanoprost-loaded hydrogel, triamcinolone acetonide-induced elevated intraocular pressure was significantly decreased within 7 days and remained at a normal level for the following 21 days in rabbit eyes. This newly developed chitosan-based hydrogel may provide a non-invasive alternative to traditional anti-glaucoma eye drops for glaucoma treatment.
In the early February, 2020, we called up an experts’ committee with more than 30 Chinese experts from 11 national medical academic organizations to formulate the first edition of consensus statement ...on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children, which has been published in this journal. With accumulated experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in children, we have updated the consensus statement and released the second edition recently. The current version in English is a condensed version of the second edition of consensus statement on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in children. In the current version, diagnosis and treatement criteria have been optimized, and early identification of severe and critical cases is highlighted. The early warning indicators for severe pediatric cases have been summarized which is utmost important for clinical practice. This version of experts consensus will be valuable for better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in children worldwide.
Artemisinin (Art) is isolated from Artemisia annua L. and known as the most effective antimalaria drugs. Previous studies demonstrated that it could exert an immune‐regulatory effect on autoimmune ...diseases. In this study, we first investigated its potential role in tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. Subtotal nephrectomized (SNx) rats were orally administered Art (100 mg·kg
−1·d
−1) for 16 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical examination. Kidney tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. Ang II‐induced injury of the human kidney 2 (HK‐2) cells was used for in vitro study. It was shown that Art could significantly attenuate the renal function decline in SNx rats compared with control. More importantly, Art treatment significantly reduced the tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, as demonstrated by the evaluation of renal pathology. Furthermore, Art inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF‐κB in the kidneys. In in vitro study, Art pretreatment could significantly prevent the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF‐κB in Ang II‐treated HK‐2 cells, while BAY11‐7082 (an inhibitor of NF‐κB) significantly inhibited Ang II‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This study suggested that Art could provide renoprotective role by attenuating the tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in SNx rats by downregulating the NF‐κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
We found that artemisinin (Art) treatment significantly prevents renal function decline and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats by inhibiting NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Art in preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Albuminuria contributes to the development and progression of chronic kidney disease by inducing tubulointerstitial inflammation (TI) and fibrosis. However, the exact mechanisms of TI in response to ...albuminuria are unresolved. We previously demonstrated that NLRP3 and inflammasomes mediate albumin-induced lesions in tubular cells. Here, we further investigated the role of endocytic receptors and lysosome rupture in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. A murine proteinuric nephropathy model was induced by albumin overload as described previously. The priming and activation signals for inflammasome complex formation were evoked simultaneously by albumin excess in tubular epithelial cells. The former signal was dependent on a albumin-triggered NF-κB pathway activation. This process is mediated by the endocytic receptor, megalin and cubilin. However, the silencing of megalin or cubilin inhibited the albumin-induced NLRP3 signal. Notably, subsequent lysosome rupture and the corresponding release of lysosomal hydrolases, especially cathepsin B, were observed in tubular epithelial cells exposed to albumin. Cathepsin B release and distribution are essential for NLRP3 signal activation, and inhibitors of cathepsin B suppressed the NLRP3 signal in tubular epithelial cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that megalin/cubilin and lysosome rupture are involved in albumin-triggered tubular injury and TI. This study provides novel insights into albuminuria-induced TI and implicates the active control of albuminuria as a critical strategy to halt the progression of chronic kidney disease.
NLRP3 inflammasome activation is involved in albuminuria-induced renal injury.
The inhibition of megalin/cubilin or lysosomal cathepsin B reduced albuminuria-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Megalin/cubilin and lysosome rupture is involved in albumin-triggered tubular injury and TI.
This study provides novel insights into albuminuria-induced TI and implicates the active control of albuminuria as a critical strategy to halt the progression of CKD.
Paediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in China. Data on epidemiology of paediatric MPP from China are little known. This study ...retrospectively collected data from June 2006 to June 2016 in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University of North China and aims to explore the epidemiological features of paediatric MPP and severe MPP (SMPP) in North China during the past 10 years. A total of 27 498 paediatric patients with pneumonia were enrolled. Among them, 37.5% of paediatric patients had MPP. In this area, an epidemic took place every 2-3 years at the peak, and the positive rate of MPP increased during these peak years over time. The peak age of MPP was between the ages of 6 and 10 years, accounting for 75.2%, significantly more compared with other age groups (χ2 = 1384.1, P < 0.0001). The epidemics peaked in September, October and November (χ2 = 904.9, P < 0.0001). Additionally, 13.0% of MPP paediatric patients were SMPP, but over time, the rate of SMPP increased, reaching 42.6% in 2016. The mean age of paediatric patients with SMPP (6.7 ± 3.0 years old) was younger than that of patients with non-SMPP (7.4 ± 3.2 years old) (t = 3.60, P = 0.0001). The prevalence of MPP and SMPP is common in China, especially in children from 6 to 10 years old. Paediatric patients with SMPP tend to be younger than those with non-SMPP. MPP outbreaks occur every 2-3 years in North China. September, October and November are the peak months, unlike in South China. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of paediatric MPP can contribute to timely treatment and diagnosis, and may improve the prognosis of children with SMPP.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major limiting factor that prevents the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, MgOp@PPLP nanoparticles are explored by using MgO nanoparticles ...as a substrate, polydopamine as a shell, wrapping anti-SNCA plasmid inside, and modifying polyethylene glycol, lactoferrin, and puerarin on the surface to improve the hydrophilicity, brain targeting and antioxidant properties of the particles, respectively. MgOp@PPLP exhibits superior near-infrared radiation (NIR) response. Under the guidance of photothermal effect, these MgOp@PPLP particles are capable of penetrating the BBB and be taken up by neuronal cells to exert gene therapy and antioxidant therapy. In both in vivo and in vitro models of PD, MgOp@PPLP exhibits good neuroprotective effects. Therefore, combined with noninvasive NIR radiation, MgOp@PPLP nanoplatform with good biocompatibility becomes an ideal material to combat neurodegenerative diseases.
Smart materials with ultralong phosphorescence are rarely investigated and reported. Herein we report on a series of molecules with unique dynamic ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) features, ...enabled by manipulating intermolecular interactions through UV light irradiation. Our experimental data reveal that prolonged irradiation of single‐component organic phosphors of PCzT, BCzT, and FCzT under ambient conditions can activate UOP with emission lifetimes spanning from 1.8 to 1330 ms. These phosphors can also be deactivated back to their original states with short‐lived phosphorescence by UV irradiation for 3 h at room temperature or through thermal treatment. Additionally, the dynamic UOP was applied successfully for a visual anti‐counterfeiting application. These findings may provide unique insight into dynamic molecular motion for optical processing and expand the scope of smart‐response materials for broader applications.
Now you see it… now you don't: Prolonged irradiation of single‐component organic phosphors (see general structure) activated ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) with emission lifetime increasing from 1.8 to 1330 ms by altering their intermolecular interactions. The phosphors could be deactivated by UV irradiation for 3 h or heating. A multilevel anti‐counterfeiting application was demonstrated by using several phosphors with different UOP properties (see picture).
Albuminuria is not only an important marker of chronic kidney disease but also a crucial contributor to tubulointerstitial inflammation (TIF). In this study, we determined whether activation of the ...Nlrp3 inflammasome is involved in albuminuria induced-TIF and the underlying mechanisms of inflammasome activation by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). We established an albumin-overload induced rat nephropathy model characterised by albuminuria, renal infiltration of inflammatory cells, tubular dilation and atrophy. The renal expression levels of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased in this animal model. In vitro, albumin time- and dose-dependently increased the expression levels of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, IL-1β and IL18. Moreover, the silencing of the Nlrp3 gene or the use of the caspase-1 inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk significantly attenuated the albumin-induced increase in IL-1β and IL-18 expression in HK2 cells. In addition, mROS generation was elevated by albumin stimulation, whereas the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) inhibited Nlrp3 expression and the release of IL-1β and IL-18. In kidney biopsy specimens obtained from patients with IgA nephropathy, Nlrp3 expression was localised to the proximal tubular epithelial cells, and this result is closely correlated with the extent of proteinuria and TIF. In summary, this study demonstrates that albuminuria may serve as an endogenous danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that stimulates TIF via the mROS-mediated activation of the cytoplasmic Nlrp3 inflammasome.
The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of local injection of autologous platelet rich plasma (A-PRP) as a treatment for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In a prospective ...intervention study, twenty consecutive women suffering from SUI were treated with A-PRP injection at anterior vaginal wall where mid-urethra locates. Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure pre-treatment, 1 month and 6 months post-treatment symptom severity. Secondary outcomes of sexual function and treatment effect sorted by age were analyzed with valid statistical methods. A-PRP is effective in relieving SUI symptoms at both 1 month and 6 months post-treatment without significant adverse reactions reported. It seems to have a trend that treatment success rate with cured and improved symptoms was slightly higher in the younger group, although it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.07). No significant changes in sexual function before and after the treatment were reported by the patients. This pilot study is the first to report A-PRP treatment effect for SUI in women. The result suggested that A-PRP is a considerable treatment option for mild to moderate SUI cases. It also opens up further research opportunities for A-PRP's clinical applications.
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