Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are two common autoimmune diseases that can occur concomitantly. In general, patients with diabetes have a high risk of AITD. It ...has been proposed that a complex genetic basis together with multiple nongenetic factors make a variable contribution to the pathogenesis of T1DM and AITD. In this paper, we summarize current knowledge in the field regarding potential pathogenic factors of T1DM and AITD, including human leukocyte antigen, autoimmune regulator, lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase, forkhead box protein P3, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen, infection, vitamin D deficiency, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand. These findings offer an insight into future immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases.
K17, an indigenous and heterotrophic nitrifying-aerobic denitrifying bacterium, was isolated from the soil of a weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore leaching site in Longnan County, ...China. Strain K17 was identified as
Pseudomonas mosselii
. In this study, the morphological characteristics of strain K17 were observed and the optimal ammonia nitrogen removal conditions for the strain were studied using a single-factor experiment. Key enzyme activities were determined, and we also explored the ammonia nitrogen removal process of strain K17 on simulated leaching liquor of the rare earth element leaching site. Based on the determination of ammonia nitrogen removal and enzyme activity, it was found that strain K17 has both heterotrophic nitrifying and aerobic denitrifying activities. In addition, single-factor experiments revealed that the most appropriate carbon source for strain K17 was sodium citrate with a C/N ratio of 10 and an initial NH
4
+
-N concentration of 100 mg/l. Furthermore, the optimal initial pH and rotation speed were 7 and 165 r/min, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency of strain K17 was greater than 95%. As an indigenous bacterium, strain K17 has great potential for treating residual ammonium leaching solutions from rare earth element leaching sites.
Fufang Honghua Buji (FHB) granules, have proven efficacy against vitiligo in long-term clinical practice. However, its major active chemical components and molecular mechanisms of action remain ...unknown. The purpose of this study was to confirm the molecular mechanism of FHB's therapeutic effect on vitiligo utilizing network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation prediction, as well as experimental verification.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and HERB databases were used to obtain the chemical composition and action targets of FHB. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), DrugBank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD) databases were applied to screen for vitiligo-related targets. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed through the Matascape database. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation methods were for the analysis of the binding sites and binding energies between the FHB's active components and the targets. Finally, a vitiligo mouse model was created, and the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of action of FHB were validated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Additionally, hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and blood biochemical assays were conducted to assess the biosafety of FHB.
The screening of chemical composition and targets suggested that 94 genetic targets of FHB were associated with vitiligo. The bioinformatics analysis suggested that luteolin, quercetin, and wogonin may be major active components, and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 subunit (RELA), signal transducer, and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) 1 may be potential targets of FHB-vitiligo therapy. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation further demonstrated that luteolin, quercetin, and wogonin all bound best to STAT3. Through experimental verification, FHB has been demonstrated to alleviate the pathogenic characteristics of vitiligo mice, suppress the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, reduce inflammation, and increase melanogenesis. The
safety evaluation experiments also demonstrated the non-toxicity of FHB.
FHB exerts anti-inflammatory and melanogenesis-promoting effects via the effect of multi-component on multi-target, among which the JAK-STAT pathway is a validated FHB-vitiligo target, providing new ideas and clues for the development of vitiligo therapy.
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•N doped holey graphene (NHG) was prepared via a synchronous hydrothermal process.•The NHG carbocatalyst exhibit high performance for hydrogenation of nitrobenzenes.•The innovative ...application in catalytic hydrogenation of azo and imine was explored.•The metal-free catalytic mechanism was elucidated via theoretical calculations.
Eco-friendly carbocatalyst is extremely desirable in organic catalysis and wastewater treatment. Herein, we reported a one-pot synchronous hydrothermal process to synthesize a highly efficient N doped holey graphene (NHG) carbocatalyst, in which graphene oxide nanosheets are self-assembled, reduced, chemically etched, and simultaneously doped with nitrogen to form a graphene hydrogel in the presence of H2O2 and NH4OH. Benefiting from the good hydrophilicity, unique hierarchical porous structure, large specific surface area (322.1 m2 g−1), and high N content (9.77 at. %), the resultant NHG carbocatalyst exhibits an excellent catalytic performance for the hydrogenation of N-containing unsaturated compounds. In 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction, the NHG carbocatalyst delivers a turnover frequency of 3.32 × 10−2 min−1. This catalytic activity is superior to that of the commercial Pd/C (5.0 wt%), other previously reported carbocatalysts, and many noble-metal-based catalysts. Furthermore, the molecular structure analysis combined with density functional theory calculations elucidate metal-free catalytic mechanism of hydrogenation reaction for unsaturated chromophore groups in N-containing organic dyes.
A simple synthesis route for amine protected-introduced-released chitosan (APIR-CS) was investigated to improve the adsorption of anionic dyes. The C
2
amine groups of the chitosan (CS) were ...initially protected via a Schiff-base reaction by benzaldehyde. They were then synthesized by the introduction of ethylenediamine into C
6
hydroxyl groups on CS via epichlorohydrin. The final product was obtained after removal of the Schiff base with dilute hydrochloride solution. Amine-introduced chitosan (AI-CS) was directly synthesized at the C
2
amine groups. The adsorbents were characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For Congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO), most of the amine groups in CS were converted to-N˭CH
2
groups after the benzaldehyde treatment. Hydrochloric acid treatment after the cross-linking reaction released protected nitrogen atoms into the form of the primary amine again. APIR-CS had significantly greater adsorption capacities than AI-CS. The increased adsorption performance was attributed to the large number of primary amine groups on the surfaces. The adsorption mechanism was based on electrostatic interaction, while the adsorption process was mainly physisorption.
Skin diseases are among the most prevalent non-fatal conditions worldwide. The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) has emerged as a promising approach for treating skin diseases, owing to its ...numerous advantages such as high bioavailability, low systemic toxicity, and improved patient compliance. However, the effectiveness of the TDDS is hindered by several factors, including the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, the nature of the drug and carrier, and delivery conditions. In this paper, we provide an overview of the development of the TDDS from first-generation to fourth-generation systems, highlighting the characteristics of each carrier in terms of mechanism composition, penetration method, mechanism of action, and recent preclinical studies. We further investigated the significant challenges encountered in the development of the TDDS and the crucial significance of clinical trials.
A route for the formation of carboxyl-introduced chitosan (CI-CS) with C2 amine groups protected (CIAP-CS) was investigated to improve copper (II) adsorption. First, the C2 amine groups of the ...chitosan (CS) were protected via a Schiff-base reaction by benzaldehyde. Then the product was obtained by the introduction of pyromellitic dianhydride to the C6 hydroxyl groups on CS via epichlorohydrin. The last product was obtained by removing the Schiff base with dilute hydrochloride solution. CI-CS without C2 amine groups protected was directly synthesized as well. The adsorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The adsorption properties for copper (II) were investigated. FTIR spectroscopy and XPS clearly showed that most of the amine groups in CS were converted to -N = CH2 groups after the benzaldehyde treatment and that no cross-linking reactions with CS were involved; the HCl treatment after the cross-linking reaction effectively released nitrogen atoms protected into the form of the primary amine again. The results confirm that the CIAP-CS cross-linked with the new method had significantly greater adsorption capacities than the CI-CS cross-linked directly with CS. Mechanism study revealed that the increased adsorption performance is attributed to the large number of primary carboxyl and amine groups available on the surfaces of the CIAP-CS. The adsorption mechanism is based on ion exchange and chelating action, and the adsorption process is mainly chemisorption.
A route for the formation of carboxyl-introduced chitosan (CI-CS) with C
amine groups protected (CIAP-CS) was investigated to improve copper (II) adsorption. First, the C
amine groups of the chitosan ...(CS) were protected via a Schiff-base reaction by benzaldehyde. Then the product was obtained by the introduction of pyromellitic dianhydride to the C
hydroxyl groups on CS via epichlorohydrin. The last product was obtained by removing the Schiff base with dilute hydrochloride solution. CI-CS without C
amine groups protected was directly synthesized as well. The adsorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The adsorption properties for copper (II) were investigated. FTIR spectroscopy and XPS clearly showed that most of the amine groups in CS were converted to -N = CH
groups after the benzaldehyde treatment and that no cross-linking reactions with CS were involved; the HCl treatment after the cross-linking reaction effectively released nitrogen atoms protected into the form of the primary amine again. The results confirm that the CIAP-CS cross-linked with the new method had significantly greater adsorption capacities than the CI-CS cross-linked directly with CS. Mechanism study revealed that the increased adsorption performance is attributed to the large number of primary carboxyl and amine groups available on the surfaces of the CIAP-CS. The adsorption mechanism is based on ion exchange and chelating action, and the adsorption process is mainly chemisorption.
The development of highly efficient and stable photocatalysts is of critical importance for the removal of environmental pollutants, such as paraben preservatives. In this work, carbon quantum dots ...(CQDs) were used to modify bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) through a hydrothermal reaction. Regarding the as-formed CQDs/BiVO4 composite, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectra analysis demonstrated the strong interaction between CQDs and BiVO4, possibly leading to the elevated energy level of the composite. As compared to pristine BiVO4, CQDs/BiVO4 showed an increase in light harvesting, and significantly enhanced visible-light activities in degrading the typical paraben pollutant—benzyl paraben (BzP)—where the maximum 85.4% of BzP was degraded in 150 min. After four cycle reactions, the optimum sample 0.6%CQDs/BiVO4 still degraded 78.2% of BzP, indicating the good stability and reusability of the composite. The notably higher photocurrent and smaller arc in Nyquist plot were measured by CQDs/BiVO4, unveiling the improved photocharge separation and lowered interfacial charge transfer resistance by CQDs modification. Meanwhile, due to the promoted energy level, CQDs/BiVO4 practically produced •O2− species and thereby contributed to the BzP degradation, while they had no ability to produce •OH. This was contrary to the BiVO4 system, where •OH and h+ played the dominant roles.
Tumor immunotherapy is a promising approach for addressing the limitations of conventional tumor treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which often have side effects and fail to prevent ...recurrence and metastasis. However, the effectiveness and sustainability of immune activation in tumor immunotherapy remain challenging. Tumor immunogenic cell death, characterized by the release of immunogenic substances, damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and tumor associated antigens, from dying tumor cells (DTCs), offers a potential solution. By enhancing the immunogenicity of DTCs through the inclusion of more immunogenic antigens and stimulating factors, immunogenic cell death (ICD) based cancer vaccines can be developed as a powerful tool for immunotherapy. Integrating ICD nanoinducers into conventional treatments like chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and radiotherapy presents a novel strategy to enhance treatment efficacy and potentially improve patient outcomes. Preclinical research has identified numerous potential ICD inducers. However, effectively translating these findings into clinically relevant applications remains a critical challenge. This review aims to contribute to this endeavor by providing valuable insights into the
preparation of ICD-based cancer vaccines. We explored established tools for ICD induction, followed by an exploration of personalized ICD induction strategies and vaccine designs. By sharing this knowledge, we hope to stimulate further development and advancement in the field of ICD-based cancer vaccines.