Abstract
Macrophages perform diverse functions within tissues during immune responses to pathogens and injury, but molecular mechanisms by which physical properties of the tissue regulate macrophage ...behavior are less well understood. Here, we examine the role of the mechanically activated cation channel Piezo1 in macrophage polarization and sensing of microenvironmental stiffness. We show that macrophages lacking Piezo1 exhibit reduced inflammation and enhanced wound healing responses. Additionally, macrophages expressing the transgenic Ca
2+
reporter, Salsa6f, reveal that Ca
2+
influx is dependent on Piezo1, modulated by soluble signals, and enhanced on stiff substrates. Furthermore, stiffness-dependent changes in macrophage function, both in vitro and in response to subcutaneous implantation of biomaterials in vivo, require Piezo1. Finally, we show that positive feedback between Piezo1 and actin drives macrophage activation. Together, our studies reveal that Piezo1 is a mechanosensor of stiffness in macrophages, and that its activity modulates polarization responses.
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•Rod shaped ZnO:Ag photocatalysts were synthesized via co-precipitation method.•The photodegradation and mineralization efficiency is found to be highly sensitive to Ag ...content.•Increase in photodegradation efficiency of ZnO:Ag nanorods is attributed to their synergistic effect and improved surface area.
Visible light responsive highly photocatalytic ZnO:Ag nanorods with varying Ag concentration were synthesized via co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite phase for these ZnO:Ag nanorods with preferential growth along the (101) plane. Raman shift and luminescence measurements indicated that the incorporation of Ag influences the lattice vibrational modes; there by causing distortion in lattice, inducing silent vibrational modes and emission behavior by quenching of both the band edge and visible emissions respectively. The photocatalytic performance of these nanorods as catalysts was tested by observing the photodegradation of a representative dye pollutant, viz., sulforhodamine B under sunlight irradiation. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by determining the rate of reaction kinetics, photodegradation efficiency and mineralization efficiency. A high rate constant of 0.552min−1, chemical oxygen demand value of 5.8ppm and a mineralization efficiency of 94% were obtained when ZnO: Ag nanorods with an Ag content of 1.5at.% were used as catalysts. The observed increase in photocatalytic efficiency with Ag content in ZnO:Ag nanorods is attributed to the electron scavenging action of silver, Schottky barrier between the Ag and ZnO interface and the better utilization of sunlight due to enhanced absorption due to plasmons in the visible region. BET analysis indicated that silver doping causes effective surface area of nanorods to increase, which in turn increases the photocatalytic efficiency. The possible mechanism for degradation of dye under sunlight irradiation is described with a schematic and the photostability of the ZnO:Ag nanorods were also tested through five repetitive cycles. This work suggests that the prepared ZnO:Ag nanorods are excellent reusable photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic organic waste in water, which causes severe threat to environment.
Hydrogen peroxide (H
O
) is a key reactive oxygen species and a messenger in cellular signal transduction apart from playing a vital role in many biological processes in living organisms. In this ...article, we present phenyl boronic acid-functionalized quinone-cyanine (
) in combination with AT-rich DNA (exogenous or endogenous cellular DNA),
,
⊂DNA as a stimuli-responsive NIR fluorescence probe for measuring
levels of H
O
. In response to cellular H
O
stimulus,
converts into
, a one-donor-two-acceptor (D2A) system that exhibits switch-on NIR fluorescence upon binding to the DNA minor groove. Fluorescence studies on the combination probe
⊂DNA showed strong NIR fluorescence selectively in the presence of H
O
. Furthermore, glucose oxidase (GOx) assay confirmed the high efficiency of the combination probe
⊂DNA for probing H
O
generated
through GOx-mediated glucose oxidation. Quantitative analysis through fluorescence plate reader, flow cytometry and live imaging approaches showed that
is a promising probe to detect the normal as well as elevated levels of H
O
produced by EGF/Nox pathways and post-genotoxic stress in both primary and senescent cells. Overall,
, in combination with exogenous or cellular DNA, is a versatile probe to quantify and image H
O
in normal and disease-associated cells.
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•ZnO:Au nanostructures with tunable SPR band were synthesized.•ZnO:Au nanostructures showed superior photocatalytic activity and photostability for the degradation of SRB.•The ...mechanism for synergistic degradation of SRB with ZnO:Au nanostructures was schematically illustrated.
ZnO:Au nanostructures with tunable surface Plasmon band were synthesizedvia co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction analysis, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite phase for these ZnO:Au nanostructures with preferential growth along the (101) plane. The selective enhancement in the intensity of Raman band due to the excited free electrons of Au nanoparticles confirmed the incorporation of Au in ZnO matrix. Scanning electron microscopic images showed the transformation of morphology of these nanostructures from rod geometry to rose flower and then to marigold flower-like structures with increase in the Au content. Detailed investigations were carried out to understand the role of plasmons present in the ZnO:Au nanostructures on the photocatalytic degradation of sulforhodamine B under sunlight. It is found that ZnO:Au nanostructures with plasmon band in the close approximation of solar maximum ˜550 nm as catalysts exhibit ultra-fast degradation of the dye. This highly efficient photocatalytic activity of these nanostructures is attributed to the electron scavenging action of Au due to its high electronegativity, enhanced absorption of sunlight due to plasmons, the enhanced surface area of ZnO:Au nanostructures and the formation of Schottky barrier between the Au and ZnO interface. The reusability and photostability of these catalysts were tested through repetitive cycles and demonstrated that these nanostructures can form excellent reusable photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic organic waste in water.
Highly crystalline ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. The morphology and optical properties of these nanoparticles are found to be highly sensitive to the growth ...parameters such as the concentration of reducing agent and annealing temperature. Indeed, the concentration of the reducing agent can alter the morphology of nanoparticles from quasi-spherical to rod-like and then to flower-like structures. Attempts were made to tune the emission wavelength over the visible region by varying the kinetics of chemical reduction and annealing. The possibility of tuning the emission in a visible range from orange to red and then to green by changing the nature of defects by annealing is also reported. Analysis of the Raman spectrum, with its intensity observed at 580 cm−1 corresponding to E1 (LO) mode, revealed that the kinetics and thermodynamics of formation and growth of these nanoparticles determined the nature and density of the probable defects such as oxygen vacancies, interstitial zinc atoms and their complexes.
Macrophages are versatile and plastic effector cells of the immune system, and contribute to diverse immune functions including pathogen or apoptotic cell removal, inflammatory activation and ...resolution, and tissue healing. Macrophages function as signaling regulators and amplifiers, and influencing their activity is a powerful approach for controlling inflammation or inducing a wound-healing response in regenerative medicine. This review discusses biomaterials-based approaches for altering macrophage activity, approaches for targeting drugs to macrophages, and approaches for delivering macrophages themselves as a therapeutic intervention.
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A series of Dy3+ doped LiCa2Mg2V3O12 phosphors have been synthesized by solid state method. The phase composition of the phosphor has been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction and confirms a cubic ...phase with Ia-3d space group. The scanning electron microscope images of LiCa2Mg2V3O12:xDy3+ phosphor reveals the surface morphology and is further investigated by its energy dispersive X-ray spectrum. The elemental mapping analysis displays the uniform composition of the elements present in the phosphor. The band gap energy of the phosphors has been determined from the diffuse reflectance spectra. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters are determined from the absorption spectra and follows the trend Ω2 > Ω6 > Ω4. The photoluminescence spectra of phosphors excited at 338 nm have intense emission at 494 and 576 nm corresponding to 4F9/2→6H15/2 and 4F9/2→6H13/2 transition and is ascribed to the magnetic and electric dipole allowed transition respectively. The radiative parameters for the optimum dopant concentration x = 0.08 has been calculated. Temperature dependent PL spectra of phosphor displays the diverse thermal response of VO43− group and Dy3+ ion and this can be utilized for the development of thermosensor based on fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR). The phosphor have maximum absloute and relative sensitivity values of 0.0063 K−1 and 0.41% K−1 in the temperature range of 80–400 K. The optical properties of the phosphor suggest that it find applications in the fields of solid-state lighting, temperature sensing, optoelectronic devices and W-LEDs.
•Dy3+ activated LiCa2Mg2V3O12 phosphors have been synthesized by solid state method.•Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters of the phosphor are estimated.•4F9/2. → 6H13/2 transition in phosphor has higher σe × Δλeff and σe × τR that aid in optical amplifier applications.•CIE coordinates and CCT values of phosphor shows that it can be used in white light emitting diodes.•Temperature dependent PL studies demonstrate the efficient application of phosphor in thermo sensing.
The present study reports the preparation of a ternary composite with enhanced shielding performance toward electromagnetic waves using in situ polymerization of aniline on fiber‐ferrite binary ...composite. The polymerization is carried out in a green medium lime juice, which acts as an efficient dopant. The composite is amalgamated with varying weight percentages of ferrite (ranging from 25% to 100%) while maintaining a constant weight percentage of fiber. The presence of the fiber in the binary and ternary composite could enhance the thermal stability of the material, highlighting its applicability in a wide range of temperatures. The DC conductivity, AC conductivity, and dielectric properties are investigated, revealing significant performance enhancements. The ternary composite demonstrates excellent conductivity in the range of 10−210−1 S/cm, attributed to the polaron/bi‐polaron interaction paradigm. Furthermore, the electromagnetic interference shielding, microwave absorption, and reflection capabilities of the composites are assessed within the frequency range of 8–12 GHz. The optimized composite, featuring aniline (0.4 M) and glass fiber with ferrite in a 1:1 ratio, exhibits an outstanding shielding value of 32 dB. These results point toward the potential of this ternary composite material as an effective shield against electromagnetic pollution.
The graphical describes the steps in the formation of glass fiber‐ferrite‐PANI ternary composite and its applications.
IL-17 is widely recognized for its roles in host defense and inflammatory disorders. However, it has become clear that IL-17 is also an essential regulator of barrier tissue physiology. Steady-state ...microbe sensing at the skin surface induces low-level IL-17 expression that enhances epithelial integrity and resists pathogens without causing overt inflammation. Recent reports describe novel protective roles for IL-17 in wound healing and counteracting physiologic stress; however, chronic amplification of these beneficial responses contributes to skin pathologies as diverse as fibrosis, cancer, and autoinflammation. In this paper, we discuss the context-specific roles of IL-17 in skin health and disease and therapeutic opportunities.
Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is strongly associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data on the association of proteinuria and ...hematuria are limited to non-US populations. In addition, admission and in-hospital measures for kidney abnormalities have not been studied separately. Methods: This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze these associations in 321 patients sequentially admitted between March 7, 2020 and April 1, 2020 at Stony Brook University Medical Center, New York. We investigated the association of proteinuria, hematuria, and AKI with outcomes of inflammation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital death. We used ANOVA, t test, χ 2 test, and Fisher’s exact test for bivariate analyses and logistic regression for multivariable analysis. Results: Three hundred patients met the inclusion criteria for the study cohort. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that admission proteinuria was significantly associated with risk of in-hospital AKI (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.28–17.38), while admission hematuria was associated with ICU admission (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.12–18.64), IMV (OR 8.79, 95% CI 2.08–37.00), and death (OR 18.03, 95% CI 2.84–114.57). During hospitalization, de novo proteinuria was significantly associated with increased risk of death (OR 8.94, 95% CI 1.19–114.4, p = 0.04). In-hospital AKI increased (OR 27.14, 95% CI 4.44–240.17) while recovery from in-hospital AKI decreased the risk of death (OR 0.001, 95% CI 0.001–0.06). Conclusion: Proteinuria and hematuria both at the time of admission and during hospitalization are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
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