In this work, a polyethyleneimine-modified chitosan/Ce-UIO-66 composite hydrogel (PEI-CS/Ce-UIO-66) was prepared using the ex-situ blend method. The synthesized composite hydrogel was characterized ...by SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, BET, XPS, and TG techniques, while the zeta potential was recorded for sample analysis. The adsorbent performance was studied by conducting adsorption experiments using methyl orange (MO), which showed that PEI-CS/Ce-UIO-66 exhibited excellent MO adsorption properties (900.5 ± 19.09 mg/g). The adsorption kinetics of PEI-CS/Ce-UIO-66 could be explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and its isothermal adsorption followed the Langmuir model. Thermodynamics showed that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic at low temperatures. MO could interact with PEI-CS/Ce-UIO-66 via electrostatic interaction, π–π stacking, and hydrogen bonding. The results indicated that the PEI-CS/Ce-UIO-66 composite hydrogel could potentially be used for the adsorption of anionic dyes.
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Genetic analyses have linked microRNA-137 (MIR137) to neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. miR-137 plays important roles in neurogenesis and neuronal ...maturation, but the impact of miR-137 loss-of-function in vivo remains unclear. Here we show the complete loss of miR-137 in the mouse germline knockout or nervous system knockout (cKO) leads to postnatal lethality, while heterozygous germline knockout and cKO mice remain viable. Partial loss of miR-137 in heterozygous cKO mice results in dysregulated synaptic plasticity, repetitive behavior, and impaired learning and social behavior. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that the miR-137 mRNA target, phosphodiesterase 10a (Pde10a), is elevated in heterozygous knockout mice. Treatment with the Pde10a inhibitor papaverine or knockdown of Pde10a ameliorates the deficits observed in the heterozygous cKO mice. Collectively, our results suggest that MIR137 plays essential roles in postnatal neurodevelopment and that dysregulation of miR-137 potentially contributes to neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.
Background and Aims Colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) are divided into homogeneous (LST-G-H), nodular mixed (LST-G-M), flat elevated (LST-NG-F), and pseudodepressed (LST-NG-PD) subtypes. ...We hypothesized that based on the rates of advanced histology, the recurrence rates of the LST-NG-PD and LST-G-M groups may be higher than those of the other subgroups. Methods Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed in 156 patients with a total of 177 LSTs. The clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis of ESD according to specific subtype were investigated. Results LSTs were most commonly found in the rectum, and the highest percentage of rectal lesions was observed in the LST-G-M group (71.1% vs overall 55.4%, P = .032). The LST-G-M lesions were larger (60 ± 22 mm vs 40 ± 33 mm, P = .034) than the LST-G-H lesions. The LST-G-M group also demonstrated more high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (32.2% vs 10.8%, P = .003) and submucosal carcinomas (13.6% vs 1.5%, P = .010) compared with the LST-G-H group. The LST-NG-PD group exhibited the highest incidence of submucosally invasive cancer (16.7%). The overall perforation rate was 2.3%. The perforation rate in the LST-NG group was higher than that in the LST-G group (5.7% vs 0.8%, P = .047). All recurrences (7.7%) were found by colonoscopy without any detection of cancers, and no difference was found among the subtypes. Conclusions No significant differences were observed among subgroups with 44.4 ± 16.3 months of follow-up. Considering that all recurrences were discovered by colonoscopy and most could be cured by repeated ESD, the LSTs of all subgroups require more intensive follow-up compared with smaller adenomatous lesions.
Highlights • miR-379-5p is significantly down-regulated in HCC. • miR-379-5p can inhibit HCC invasion and metastasis. • FAK is a direct target of miR-379-5p. • miR-379-5p exerts its functions through ...inhibiting FAK/AKT signaling. • miR-379-5p might be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for HCC.
Background
The aim of the present study was to analyze the factors associated with anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Methods
Retrospectively collected consecutive data ...of 738 rectal cancer patients who underwent anterior resection in our hospital between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed. The associations between 15 patient-related and surgery-related variables and anastomotic leakage were studied with both the univariate chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results
Univariate analysis showed that risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage were low rectal cancer (located 5 cm or less above the dentate line) (5.9% vs. 0.9%;
P
= 0.003), non-specialized surgeon (3.9% vs. 11.3%;
P
= 0.031), and defunctioning transanal catheter placement (14.5% vs. 3.6%;
P
< 0.001). It should be noted that the mean surgeon case volumes of anterior resection of colorectal surgeons and non-specialized general surgeons were 43 per year and 2 per year, respectively (
P
< 0.001). In addition, there was a tendency for colorectal surgeons to operate on a greater proportion of low rectal cancers (72.1% vs. 52.8%;
P
= 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, besides low rectal cancer, non-specialized surgeon, and transanal catheter placement, three other factors were associated with anastomotic leakage: diabetes mellitus (
P
= 0.027), free distal margins less than 1 cm (
P
= 0.009), and a defunctioning stoma (
P
= 0.031). In a further analysis of 522 patients with low rectal cancer, the leakage rate in patients with a defunctioning stoma was significantly lower (2.9% vs. 8.5%;
P
= 0.007). By contrast, the leakage rate in the transanal catheter placement group was higher (15.1% vs. 4.9%;
P
= 0.008), because of its poor protective effect as well as the selection bias.
Conclusions
From the findings of this study, we believe that low rectal cancer, non-specialized surgeons, and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for anastomotic leakage after rectal surgery, and that a defunctioning stoma could significantly reduce the incidence of leakage in low rectal cancer patients.
As a biomass resource, corncob is a kind of agricultural by-product with wide sources and low cost. Because its composition contains a large number of functional polymers such as cellulose, chitosan, ...and semi chitosan, corncob can be chemically modified to prepare a variety of adsorption materials. In this study, a magnetic gel material (PEI-CC@Fe
3
O
4
) consisting of corncob modified by glutaraldehyde-crosslinked polyethyleneimine (PEI) was successfully prepared and applied to the adsorption of heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions. The structure, thermal stability, and adsorption of heavy metal ions of the magnetic gel material (PEI-CC@Fe
3
O
4
) were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction phase analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that PEI was crosslinked to the corncob through Aldol reaction and Schiff-base reaction. The heavy metal ion adsorption experiment showed that the PEI-CC@Fe
3
O
4
had better adsorption toward divalent copper ions and divalent lead ions at 303 K, and the maximum adsorption capacities reached 459.4 mg g
−1
and 290.8 mg g
−1
, respectively. Moreover, the study of isothermal adsorption and adsorption kinetics shows that the adsorption process is pseudo-second-order kinetics model adsorption, which belongs to Langmuir isothermal adsorption. Such excellent adsorption performance will contribute to the application of corncob biomass materials in industrial polluted wastewater.
A kind of magnetic gel material was synthesized by cross-linking PEI modified chitosan and corncob biomass with good adsorption properties of heavy metal ions.
This study was designed to investigate the role of the nucleotide-binding-domain -and leucine-rich repeat -containing (NLR) family, pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis ...of polymyositis (PM). Immunochemistry was performed to analyze the NLRP3, caspase-1 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) expression in the muscle tissue of PM patients. Rat model of PM and C2C12 cell were used to investigate the potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome in PM. The percentage of CD 68+ macrophages, and the expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1beta in the muscle tissue were elevated in 27 PM patients. LPS/ATP treatment resulted in activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and secretion of IL-1beta as well as interferons (IFNs) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the Raw 264.7 macrophages. Meanwhile, LPS/ATP challenged activation of NLRP3 inflammasome induced overexpression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), a key molecular of PM in the co-cultured C2C12 cells. The effect was decreased by treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 or siRNA of NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings suggested certain levels of IL-1beta rather than IFNs up-regulated MHC-I expression in C2C12 cells. IL-1beta blockade using neutralizing IL-1beta monoclonal antibody or siRNA of IL-1beta suppressed MHC-I overexpression. In vivo, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition by MCC950 reduced the expression of NLRP3, IL-1beta and MHC-I in the muscle tissue of PM modal rats. Also, it attenuated the intensity of muscle inflammation as well as the CRP, CK, and LDH levels in the serum. NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1beta axis may play an important role in the development of PM. Inhibition of NLRP3 activation may hold promise in the treatment of PM.
Various adsorption materials are widely used in the treatment of heavy metal wastewater and dye wastewater because of their good adsorption properties. Here, polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified chitosan ...magnetic hydrogels were prepared through a chemical co-precipitation method using glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent. The functional groups and structures of the hydrogels were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction phase analysis, respectively. The surface structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic parameters including hysteresis loops of the hydrogel were measured. Heavy metal adsorption experiments showed that the synthesized magnetic hydrogel had good adsorption properties for heavy metals, and saturated adsorption of Pb
2+
, Ni
2+
, and Cu
2+
reached 100.32, 105.98, and 128.96 mg g
−1
, respectively. Studies of isothermal adsorption and adsorption kinetics showed that the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics model adsorption, as the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. Selective adsorption of heavy metal ions by a magnetic hydrogel showed that Pb
2+
, Ni
2+
, and Cu
2+
had obvious competitive adsorption (on the order of Cu
2+
> Ni
2+
> Pb
2+
). The cyclic adsorption of metal ions showed that the magnetic hydrogel could be reused by 0.02 mol L
−1
EDTA-2Na desorption. The hydrogel retained its good adsorption properties, and the removal rate of Pb
2+
, Ni
2+
, and Cu
2+
was still more than 85% after 4 cycles. The PEI-modified chitosan magnetic hydrogel adsorbent thus had broad application prospects for the treatment of heavy metal wastewater.
Graphical abstract
Triptolide is beneficial for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), which is closely related to the gut microbiota. However, whether the therapeutic effects of triptolide involve the regulation of ...the gut microbiota is still unclear. In the present study, animal models of UC mice induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) were established, the changes of gut microbiota in mice were detected by high-throughput sequencing. The effects of triptolide on DSS-induced UC mouse and its gut microbiota were studied. As a result, we found that triptolide exerted anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects on UC mice. Sequencing results for the gut microbiota showed that the composition of the gut microbiota from DSS group was disordered as compared with that from the control group, consistent with a decrease in the abundance of flora. Triptolide treatment accelerated the recovery of the population of the gut microbiota and significantly improved the microbial diversity. At the phylum level, the population of
decreased and that of
increased. At the genus level,
and
counts decreased. Thus, triptolide could regulate the composition of the gut microbiota, accelerate the recovery of microbiota, and exert good therapeutic effects in UC mice. Our results also revealed that fecal transplantation from triptolide-treated mice could relieve UC. This study provides a reference for the rational use of triptolide for the treatment of UC.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is typically mediated by antibiotic therapy, which has increased in prevalence in recent years. Previous studies have suggested that ginger, a common spice and ...herbal medicine, can modulate the composition of gut microbiota and is beneficial against gastrointestinal disease. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of fresh ginger extract on AAD in a rat model. Gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function were also studied. Ginger was administered to rats with AAD. Diarrhea symptoms were assessed, and 16s rRNA sequencing analysis of gut microbiota was performed. An AAD model was successfully established, and ginger was found to effectively ameliorate AAD-related diarrhea symptoms. After the intervention of ginger decoction, the diversity (rather than richness) of gut microbiota was significantly improved, and the gut microbiota recovery was accelerated. At the genus level, Escherichia_Shigella and Bacteroides levels decreased and increased the most, respectively. Additionally, these changes were demonstrated to be coincidental with the moderate restoration of intestinal barrier function, especially the restoration of tight junction protein ZO-1. Our data indicate that ginger could restore gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function during alleviation of AAD.
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