As the principal ligand for NKG2D, MICA elicits the recruitment of subsets of T cells and NK cells in innate immunity. MICA gene variants greatly impact the functionality and expression of MICA in ...humans. The current study evaluated whether
polymorphisms distinctively influence the pathogenesis of psoriasis (PSO), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Taiwanese subjects. The distributions of
alleles and levels of serum soluble NKG2D were compared between healthy controls and patients with PSO, RA, and SLE, respectively. The binding capacities and cell surface densities of MICA alleles were assessed by utilizing stable cell lines expressing four prominent Taiwanese
alleles. Our data revealed that
*010 was significantly associated with risks for PSO and RA (P
= 1.93 × 10
and 0.00112, respectively), while
*045 was significantly associated with predisposition to SLE (P
= 0.0002). On the other hand,
*002 was associated with protection against RA development (P
= 4.16 × 10
), while
*009 was associated with a low risk for PSO (P
= 0.0058).
*002 exhibited the highest binding affinity for NKG2D compared to the other
alleles. Serum concentrations of soluble MICA were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (
= 0.01). The lack of cell surface expression of the
*010 was caused by its entrapment in the endoplasmic reticulum. As a prevalent risk factor for PSO and RA,
*010 is deficient in cell surface expression and is unable to interact with NKG2D. Our study suggests that
alleles distinctively contribute to the pathogenesis of PSO, RA, and SLE in Taiwanese people.
Future scenarios modeling has been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of urban stormwater infrastructure and to cater to potential future changes. The changes of quantity and quality of urban ...stormwater, and attributable to climate change and urbanization, were examined and tested in four urban catchments based on future scenarios modeling. Based on our findings, we observed that there were different degrees of performance corresponding to 2-, 10-, and 100-year design storms. However, the general patterns and insights deduced were similar: (1) the peak runoff and water quality appeared to be impacted more significantly by urbanization factors than that due to climate change; (2) the influence from urbanization (increase intensity of land use and population density) was found to be more significant than that from land-use changes alone; (3) catchments with relatively rapid developing rates appeared to produce more serious adverse influence on the stormwater quabntity and quality; and (4) low impact developments as key adaptation practices could be potentially effective in mitigating adverse impacts of future changes on urban stormwater system. The methodology developed in this study could be useful for urban stormwater planning and testing the plan against future change scenarios as a result of urbanization and climate change.
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•Hydrologic response may be impacted more significantly by urbanization.•Future changes may have more effects on the quality of runoff than on quantity.•Rapidly developing catchments may produce more adverse influence on urban hydrology.•Stormwater in downtown area will be harder to manage than that in developing areas.•LID could be effective in mitigating impacts on stormwater from future changes.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is distinguished by an extensive range of clinical heterogeneity with unpredictable disease flares and organ damage. This research investigates the potential of ...aberrant signatures on T cell genes, soluble Co-IRs/ligands, and Co-IRs expression on T cells as biomarkers for lupus disease parameters.
Comparative transcriptome profiling analysis of non-renal and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) phenotypes of SLE was performed using CD4 + and CD8 + cDNA microarrays of sorted T cells. Comparing the expression of Co-IRs on T cells and serum soluble mediators among healthy and SLE phenotypes.
SLE patients with ESRD were downregulated CD38, PLEK, interferon-γ, CX3CR1, FGFBP2, and SLCO4C1 transcripts on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells simultaneously and NKG7, FCRL6, GZMB/H, FcγRIII, ITGAM, Fas ligand, TBX21, LYN, granulysin, CCL4L1, CMKLR1, HLA-DRβ, KIR2DL3, and KLRD1 in CD8 T cells. Pathway enrichment and PPI network analyses revealed that the overwhelming majority of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) have been affiliated with novel cytotoxic, antigen presentation, and chemokine-cell migration signature pathways. CD8 + GZMK + T cells that are varied in nature, including CD161 + Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and CD161- aged-associated T (Taa) cells and CD161-GZMK + GZMB + T cells might account for a higher level of GZMK in CD8 + T cells associated with ESRD. SLE patients have higher TIGIT + , PD1 + , and lower CD127 + cell percentages on CD4 + T cells, higher TIM3 + , TIGIT + , HLA-DR + cell frequency, and lower MFI expression of CD127, CD160 in CD8 T cells. Co-IRs expression in T cells was correlated with soluble PD-1, PDL-2, and TIM3 levels, as well as SLE disease activity, clinical phenotypes, and immune-therapy responses.
The signature of dysfunctional pathways defines a distinct immunity pattern in LN ESRD patients. Expression levels of Co-IRs in peripheral blood T cells and serum levels of soluble PD1/PDL-2/TIM3 can serve as biomarkers for evaluating clinical parameters and therapeutic responses.
Constructed wetlands（CWs） have been successfully used for treating various wastewaters for decades and have been identified as a sustainable wastewater management option worldwide.However,the ...application of CW for wastewater treatment in frigid climate presents special challenges.Wetland treatment of wastewater relies largely on biological processes,and reliable treatment is often a function of climate conditions.To date,the rate of adoption of wetland technology for wastewater treatment in cold regions has been slow and there are relatively few published reports on CW applications in cold climate.This paper therefore highlights the practice and applications of treatment wetlands in cold climate.A comprehensive review of the effectiveness of contaminant removal in different wetland systems including：（1） free water surface（FWS） CWs;（2） subsurface flow（SSF） CWs;and（3） hybrid wetland systems,is presented.The emphasis of this review is also placed on the influence of cold weather conditions on the removal efficacies of different contaminants.The strategies of wetland design and operation for performance intensification,such as the presence of plant,operational mode,effluent recirculation,artificial aeration and in-series design,which are crucial to achieve the sustainable treatment performance in cold climate,are also discussed.This study is conducive to further research for the understanding of CW design and treatment performance in cold climate.
A phytochemical study on the aerial parts of
led to the isolation of two new phenolic compounds, benzyl 5-
-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (
) and (7
,8
)-
-dihydroxydehydrodiconiferyl ...alcohol 9-acetate (
), together with twelve known compounds, benzyl 2-
-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2,6-dihydroxybenzoate (
), 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol glucoside (
), (+)-isolariciresinol (
), icariol A₂ (
), 9,10-dihydroxythymol (
), 8,9,10-trihydroxythymol (
), caffeic acid (
),
-coumaric acid (
), ethyl protocatechuate (
), procatechuic aldehyde (
), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (
), and hydroquinone (
). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Except
and
, all the other compounds were isolated from this plant species for the first time. The antioxidant activity of those isolated compounds were evaluated using three different assays. Compounds
,
,
,
,
,
, and
demonstrated significant 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radical cation scavenging activity ranging from SC
0.31 to 4.86 µM, which were more potent than l-ascorbic acid (SC
= 10.48 µM). Compounds
,
,
, and
exhibited more potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (SC
= 16.24-21.67 µM) than l-ascorbic acid (39.48 µM). Moreover, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of compounds
,
,
, and
were discovered to be also comparable to or even more potent than l-ascorbic acid.
To elucidate an etiology in a case with persistent oligohydramnios by prenatal diagnosis and actively treat the case to achieve good prognosis.
We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of DNA from ...the fetus and parents. Serial amnioinfusions were conducted until birth. Pressors were required to maintain normal blood pressure. The infant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, angiotensin II (Ang II, a downstream product of ACE), and compensatory enzymes (CEs) activities were measured. Compensatory enzyme activities in plasma from age-matched healthy controls were also detected.
We identified a fetus with a severe ACE mutation prenatally. The infant was born prematurely without pulmonary dysplasia. Hypotension and anuria resolved spontaneously. He had almost no ACE activity, but his Ang II level and CE activity exceeded the upper limit of the normal range and the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of controls, respectively. His renal function also largely recovered.
Fetuses with ACE mutations can be diagnosed prenatally through WES. Serial amnioinfusion permits the continuation of pregnancy in fetal ACE deficiency. Compensatory enzymes for defective ACE appeared postnatally. Renal function may be spared by preterm delivery; furthermore, for postnatal vasopressor therapy to begin, improving renal perfusion pressure before nephrogenesis has been completed.
Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor isolated and purified from human urine with strong anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions, which is widely used for the treatment ...of various diseases, such as pancreatitis and sepsis. Although the therapeutic effects of UTI are reported to be associated with a variety of mechanisms, the signaling pathways mediating the anti-inflammatory action of UTI remain to be elucidated. In the present study we carried out a systematic study on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms of UTI and their relationships in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Pretreatment with UTI (1000 and 5000 U/mL) dose-dependently decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS) and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. UTI pretreatment significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing the degradation of IκB-α. UTI pretreatment only markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK at Thr183, but it did not affect the phosphorylation of JNK at Tyr185, ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK; JNK was found to function upstream of the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, UTI pretreatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced ROS production by activating PI3K/Akt pathways and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 via promotion of p62-associated Keap1 degradation. However, JNK was not involved in mediating the anti-oxidative stress effects of UTI. In summary, this study shows that UTI exerts both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects by targeting the JNK/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathways.
The fast detection of terahertz radiation is of great importance for various applications such as fast imaging, high speed communications, and spectroscopy. Most commercial products capable of ...sensitively responding the terahertz radiation are thermal detectors, i.e., pyroelectric sensors and bolometers. This class of terahertz detectors is normally characterized by low modulation frequency (dozens or hundreds of Hz). Here we demonstrate the first fast semiconductor-based terahertz quantum well photodetectors by carefully designing the device structure and microwave transmission line for high frequency signal extraction. Modulation response bandwidth of gigahertz level is obtained. As an example, the 6.2-GHz modulated terahertz light emitted from a Fabry-Pérot terahertz quantum cascade laser is successfully detected using the fast terahertz quantum well photodetector. In addition to the fast terahertz detection, the technique presented in this work can also be used for optically characterizing the frequency stability of terahertz quantum cascade lasers, heterodyne detections and photomixing applications.
The plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA) has been recognized as an important promoter of leaf senescence in plants. However, upstream transcription factors (TFs) that control JA biosynthesis during ...JA-promoted leaf senescence remain unknown. In this study, we report the possible involvement of a TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) TF BrTCP7 in methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-promoted leaf senescence in Chinese flowering cabbage. Exogenous MeJA treatment reduced maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and total chlorophyll content, accompanied by the increased expression of senescence marker and chlorophyll catabolic genes, and accelerated leaf senescence. To further understand the transcriptional regulation of MeJA-promoted leaf senescence, a class I member of TCP TFs BrTCP7 was examined. BrTCP7 is a nuclear protein and possesses trans-activation ability through subcellular localization and transcriptional activity assays. A higher level of
transcript was detected in senescing leaves, and its expression was up-regulated by MeJA. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transient expression assay showed that BrTCP7 binds to the promoter regions of a JA biosynthetic gene
encoding OPDA reductase3 (OPR3) and a chlorophyll catabolic gene
encoding red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR), activating their transcriptions. Taken together, these findings reveal that BrTCP7 is associated with MeJA-promoted leaf senescence at least partly by activating JA biosynthesis and chlorophyll catabolism, thus expanding our knowledge of the transcriptional mechanism of JA-mediated leaf senescence.
Several lines of evidence have implicated the involvement of the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) in modulating leaf senescence in plants. However, upstream transcription factors (TFs) that regulate GA ...biosynthesis in association with GA-mediated leaf senescence remain elusive. In the current study, we report the possible involvement of a TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) TF BrTCP21 in GA-delayed leaf senescence in Chinese flowering cabbage. Exogenous GA
treatment maintained a higher value of maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and total chlorophyll content, accompanied by the repression of the expression of senescence-associated genes and chlorophyll catabolic genes, which led to the delay of leaf senescence. A class I member of TCP TFs BrTCP21, was further isolated and characterized. The transcript level of
was low in senescing leaves, and decreased following leaf senescence, while GA
could keep a higher expression level of
. BrTCP21 was further found to be a nuclear protein and exhibit trans-activation ability through transient-expression analysis in tobacco leaves. Intriguingly, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and transient expression assay illustrated that BrTCP21 bound to the promoter region of a GA biosynthetic gene
, and activated its transcription. Collectively, these observations reveal that BrTCP21 is associated with GA-delayed leaf senescence, at least partly through the activation of the GA biosynthetic pathway. These findings expand our knowledge on the transcriptional mechanism of GA-mediated leaf senescence.
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