Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic, autoimmune and inflammatory disease represented as synovitis, pannus formation, adjacent bone erosions, and joint destruction. The major cells ...involved in the perpetuation of RA pathogenesis are CD4+ T-cells (mainly Th1 cells and Th17 cells), fibroblasts like synoviocytes (FLS), macrophages and B cells. Other autoimmune cells such as dendritic cells, neutrophils, mast cells, and monocytes also contribute to RA pathogenesis. Monocytes are mainly bone marrow (BM) derived cells in the circulation. The chemokine receptors CCR2 and CX3CR1 expressed by monocytes interact with chemokine ligands CCL2 (MCP-1) and CX3CL1 (fractalkine) respectively produced by FLS and this interaction promotes their migration and recruitment into RA synovium. Activated monocytes on their surface exhibit upregulated antigenic expressions such as CD14, CD16, HLA-DR, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and adhesion molecules B1 and B2 integrins. RA monocytes interconnect with other cells in a positive loop manner in the propagation of the rheumatoid process. They skew towards mainly intermediate monocyte subsets (CD14++ CD16+) which produce proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Moreover, the predominant intermediate monocytes in RA differentiate into M1-macrophages which play a major role in synovial inflammation. Demonstrations suggest monocytes with CD14+ and CD16− expression (classical monocytes?) differentiate to osteoclasts which are the cells responsible for bone erosion in RA synovial joints. Th17 cells induce the production of RANKL by FLS which promotes osteoclastogenesis. Cytokines mainly TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 amplify osteoclastogenesis. Hence, monocytes are the circulating precursors of macrophages and osteoclasts in RA.
To enlighten the identity of monocytes, the antigenic expression on monocyte surface and their cytokines role in RA. We also emphasize about the chemokine receptors expressed by monocytes subsets and chemotaxis of circulating monocytes into RA synovium. Additionally, we review monocytes as the circulating precursors of macrophages and osteoclasts in RA joints and their heterogeneity and plasticity role in RA.
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•The interaction of CCR2,CX3CR1 with CCL2 and fractalkine respectively induces circulating monocytes recruit into RA synovium.•Intermediate monocyte subsets (CD14++CD16+) in peripheral blood and synovium in RA patients produce TNF-α, 1L-1β, IL-6.•Intermediate monocytes differentiate into inflammatory macrophages (M1).•Monocytes subsets with CD14+ and CD16− expression differentiate into osteoclasts and cause bone erosions in RA synovial joints.
In this study, we have demonstrated the fabrication of one of the few lead-free perovskite photodetectors reported to date. In particular, we fabricated the photodetector based on a methylammonium ...bismuth iodide, MA3Bi2I9 (MABI), structure that works under a self-powered mode of operation. The optoelectronic properties of the photodetector were investigated systematically. The photoresponse of the photodetector was carefully studied and compared with the literature, which demonstrated the capability of the MABI structure for detecting light at a very low incident irradiance of 10 μW cm-2. Also, it exhibited a fast and reproducible response speed along with high photosensitivity (∼105) and detectivity (∼1012 Jones) at low operating voltages (0 V and 0.8 V) through the large effective device area. It was also revealed that the MABI photodetector had good stability after storage for two months at ambient conditions. It is therefore concluded that our photodetector fabricated with a MABI perovskite structure using a simple geometry has great potential to further improve the optoelectronic properties when proper electron/hole-transporting layers are fused for proper charge extraction. This will have significant benefits for next-generation cost-competitive optoelectronic technology to address the scalability issue.
The present paper records Rosalia (Eurybatus) formosa (Saunders, 1839), a cerambycid or longhorn beetle for the first time from the state of Mizoram in northeastern India. The documentation was done ...on the basis of two specimens that were collected from the District of Champhai, Mizoram. In this communication, photographs, as well as notes on the morphological features of the species are presented.
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•Boron and Nitrogen dopants have been successfully introduced into TiO2 lattice.•Effect of dopants (boron and nitrogen) concentration for degradation of acetaminophen and ...monocrotophos was studied.•The doping reduced the band gap from 2.98 eV to 2.96 and 2.27 eV with B and N, respectively.•Synthesized doped TiO2 was found more effective for degradation of pollutants in comparison to undoped TiO2.•Boron doped TiO2 was found as more effective catalyst in comparison to nitrogen and thus showed 95% degradation of acetaminophen.
The development of photocatalysts for efficient photodegradation of emerging water pollutants is a subject of global concern in recent years. In this study, the photophysical properties of TiO2 were modified by doping with different concentrations of boron (B-TiO2) and nitrogen (N-TiO2) by following a sol–gel route of synthesis. The type and concentration of dopants were optimized to achieve maximum degradation of acetaminophen (ACT) and monocrotophos (MCP) in aqueous solutions. UV DRS analysis shows that the bandgap of TiO2 (3.2 eV) reduced up to 2.96 and 2.27 eV in B-TiO2 and N-TiO2 samples, respectively. The presence of dopants inside the crystal lattice of doped TiO2 was confirmed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Micro Raman, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD data confirmed that the presence of these dopants promotes the rutile phase transformation in TiO2 to various extents. The doping of B decreased the surface area and pore volume of TiO2, whereas N doping had increased these properties. The XPS spectra showed the formation of Ti-O-B and Ti-O-N type linkage, indicating the presence of interstitial B and substitutional N atoms in TiO2 crystal lattice. The B doped samples exhibit more enhancement in photodegradation efficiency as compared to N doped samples. Under optimized conditions, 5% B-TiO2 showed 95% and 71% degradation of ACT and MCP, respectively. The degradation pathway for both ACT and MCP involving their intermediates was discussed through Mass spectrometry analysis. The cost-effectiveness of the most efficient doped catalysts and commercial catalysts were compared with the ACER tool and turnover frequency.
ECR Spotlight – Amit Rana
Journal of experimental biology,
02/2023, Letnik:
226, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career ...researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Amit Rana is an author on ‘ Parasitoid wasp venom re-programs host behavior through downmodulation of brain central complex activity and motor output’, published in JEB. Amit is a PhD student in the lab of Frederic Libersat at Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel, investigating neuroparasitoids, nociception, navigation and hibernation.
•Transparent photovoltaic (TPV) device based on metal oxide heterojunctions.•TPV has high transparency (∼80%) in the visible region.•TPV shows high VOC (0.52 V) with a conversion efficiency of ...∼0.70%.
The present study shows the energy harvesting ability from a transparent Cu2O/ZnO/AZO heterojunctions device. Particularly, the electron selective AZO/ZnO and hole selective Cu2O enables the formation of photovoltaic behaviour with a VOC of 0.52 V. It is demonstrated that even with high transparency of the photoactive oxide layers of ∼80%, the device shows the maximum conversion efficiency of ∼0.70% depending on the incoming photon intensity. In addition, wavelength-selective performance of the device demonstrates a maximum responsivity of 2.13 A/W towards 400 nm. This transparent device architecture study will serve the foundation to be useful to design advanced see-through devices beyond the energy generation entities to be applied in power generating windows and skyscrapers.
The origin of room temperature (RT) ferromagnetism (FM) in Zn1–x Ni x O (0< x < 0.125) samples are systematically investigated through physical, optical, and magnetic properties of nanostructure, ...prepared by simple low-temperature wet chemical method. Reitveld refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern displays an increase in lattice parameters with strain relaxation and contraction in Zn/O occupancy ratio by means of Ni-doping. Similarly, scanning electron microscope demonstrates modification in the morphology from nanorods to nanoflakes with Ni doping, suggests incorporation of Ni ions in ZnO. More interestingly, XANES (X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy) measurements confirm that Ni is being incorporated in ZnO as Ni2+. EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) analysis reveals that structural disorders near the Zn sites in the ZnO samples upsurges with increasing Ni concentration. Raman spectroscopy exhibits additional defect driven vibrational mode (at 275 cm–1), appeared only in Ni-doped samples and the shift with broadening in 580 cm–1 peak, which manifests the presence of the oxygen vacancy (VO) related defects. Moreover, in photoluminescence (PL) spectra, we have observed a peak at 524 nm, indicating the presence of singly ionized VO +, which may be activating bound magnetic polarons (BMPs) in dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMSs). Magnetization measurements indicate weak ferromagnetism at RT, which rises with increasing Ni concentration. It is therefore proposed that the effect of the Ni ions as well as the inherent exchange interactions arising from VO + assist to produce BMPs, which are accountable for the RT-FM in Zn1–x Ni x O (0< x < 0.125) system.
Additive manufacturing, commonly referred to as 3D printing, is currently one of the most dominant developments in the manufacturing sector. Consumer demands for more customized goods and services, ...in conjunction with the emergence of advanced manufacturing technologies, are influencing changes in the scope and distribution of manufacturing. In this work, the function of digital fabrication, one of these advanced manufacturing process technologies, is examined. The Digital Manufacturing and even other advanced manufacturing technologies have a significant footprint in all future manufacturing endeavours because of the robustness and mass customization that they provide. The Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a sustainable method used extensively for the development of prototypes for toys. The present study investigates the potential of FDM process as a method for prototype development. Additionally the advantages of FDM process from the viewpoint of sustainable manufacturing integrating innovativeness and do-it-yourself approach at home driven by consumer demand for products such as toys will also be investigated. 3D printing technology such as FDM process, where objects such as toy prototypes are constructed by adding materials layer by layer has been in the forefront of various Digital Manufacturing techniques as it reduces material wastage thereby optimizing resource utilization.
The parasitoid wasp
Ampulex compressa
envenomates the brain of its host the American cockroach (
Periplaneta americana
), thereby making it a behaviorally compliant food supply for its offspring. The ...target of venom injection is a locomotory command center in the brain called the central complex. In this study, we investigate why stung cockroaches do not respond to injuries incurred during the manipulation process by the wasp. In particular, we examine how envenomation compromises nociceptive signaling pathways in the host. Noxious stimuli applied to the cuticle of stung cockroaches fail to evoke escape responses, even though nociceptive interneurons projecting to the brain respond normally. Hence, while nociceptive signals are carried forward to the brain, they fail to trigger robust nocifensive behavior. Electrophysiological recordings from the central complex of stung animals demonstrate decreases in peak firing rate, total firing, and duration of noxious-evoked activity. The single parameter best correlated with altered noxious-evoked behavioral responses of stung cockroaches is reduced duration of the evoked response in the central complex. Our findings demonstrate how the reproductive strategy of a parasitoid wasp is served by venom-mediated elimination of aversive, nocifensive behavior in its host.
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