Owing to unique optical, electronic, and catalytic properties, MoS2 have received increasing interest in electrochemical water splitting. Herein, few-layered Mo(1-x)WxS2 hollow nanospheres-modified ...Ni3S2 heterostructures are prepared through a facile hydrothermal method to further enhance the electrocatalytic performance of MoS2. The doping of W element optimizes the electronic structure of MoS2@Ni3S2 thus improving the conductivity and charge-transfer ability of MoS2@Ni3S2. In addition, benefitting from the few-layered hollow structure of Mo(1-x)WxS2, the strong electronic interactions between Mo(1-x)WxS2 and Ni3S2 and the hierarchical structure of one-dimensional nanorods and three-dimensional Ni foam, massive active sites and fast ion and charge transportation are obtained. As a result, the optimized Mo(1-x)WxS2@Ni3S2 heterostructure (Mo-W-S-2@Ni3S2) achieves an extremely low overpotential of 98 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction and 285 mV for oxygen evolution reaction at 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline electrolyte. Particularly, using Mo-W-S-2@Ni3S2 heterostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, a cell voltage of 1.62 V is required to deliver a 10 mA cm-2 water splitting current density. In addition, the electrode can be maintained at 10 mA cm-2 for at least 50 h, indicating the excellent stability of Mo-W-S-2@Ni3S2 heterostructure. Therefore, this development demonstrates an effective and feasible strategy to prepare highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.
2D MXene, Ti3C2 (TC), has displayed enormous potential in applications in photothermal therapy (PTT), attributing to its biocompatibility and outstanding photothermal conversion capability. However, ...some tumor ablations are difficult to be realized completely by monotherapy due to the essential defects of monotherapy and intricate tumor microenvironment (TME). In this work, the appropriate doped Fe2+ ions are anchored into the layers of 2D ultrathin TC nanosheets (TC NSs) to synthesize a novel multifunctional nanoshell of Fe(II)‐Ti3C2 (FTC) through interlayer electrostatic adsorption. FTC possesses superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) than TC NSs, attributing to the enhanced conductivity promoted by interlaminar ferrous ion‐channels. Moreover, Fenton reaction based on ferrous ions endows FTC the abilities of reactive oxide species (ROS) releasing and glutathione (GSH) suppression triggered by near‐infrared (NIR) laser, featuring splendid biocompatibility and curative effect in hypoxic TME. Meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) responding in FTC reveals the potential as an integrated diagnosis and treatment nanoplatform. FTC could provide new insights into the development of multimoded synergistic nanoplatform for biological applications, especially breaking the shackles of MXenes merely used as a photo‐thermal agent (PTA), adopting it to bioimaging sensor and drug loading.
Near‐infrared (NIR) activated multimodal nanoplatform Fe‐Ti3C2 (FTC) is developed by electrostatic adsorption between Ti3C2 and Fe(II). FTC can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppress glutathione (GSH) under NIR excitation. FTC has the superior photothermal performance than Ti3C2. The ferrous ions also endow FTC the ability to serve as a T1 and T2 dual‐responding magnetic resonance contrast agent.
In this article, we aim to examine the novel effects of β‐sitosterol on murine experimental colitis. β‐Sitosterol significantly reduces the weight loss, colon length, and alleviated microscopic ...appearances of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. This compound also decreases the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in intestinal tissue of mice with experimental colitis in a concentration‐dependent manner. β‐Sitosterol treatment to intestinal epithelial cells significantly increases expression of antimicrobial peptides and reduces survival of intracellular Salmonella typhimurium. These results showed the multiple effects of β‐sitosterol against pathogenic bacteria for a novel approach to the treatment of colonic inflammation.
In summary, we explored the effects of β‐sitosterol on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis. Its mechanism may involves in multiple effects against pathogens: regulation of cytokine profiles, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as well as Salmonella typhimurium. It should be noted that this compound did not affect the naïve lymphocytes, which may implicate a low toxicity profile. In the case presented here, targeting pathogens from multiple aspects by β‐sitosterol, may contribute to a novel therapy for inflammatory intestinal diseases.
Background
The contribution of B‐cell subsets and T‐B cell interaction to the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) and mechanisms of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) remain poorly understood. This ...study aimed to outline circulating B‐cell signature, the underlying mechanism, and its association with clinical response to AIT in patients with AR.
Methods
IgD/CD27 and CD24/CD38 core gating systems were used to determine frequencies and phenotypes of B cells. Correlations between B cells, T cells, antigen‐specific IgE, and disease severity in AR patients were investigated. Switched memory B cells were co‐cultured with type 2 follicular helper T (Tfh2) cells and follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells. Associations between B‐cell subsets and clinical benefits of AIT were analyzed.
Results
Frequencies and absolute numbers of circulating memory B cells were increased in AR patients. CD23 expression on CD19+CD20+CD27+IgD− switched memory B cells was significantly enhanced and positively correlated with antigen‐specific IgE levels, symptom scores, and Tfh2/Tfr cell ratio in AR patients. Compared with those from healthy controls, Tfh2 cells from AR patients had a greater capacity to induce CD23 expression on switched memory B cells via IL‐4, which was unable to be sufficiently suppressed by AR‐associated Tfr cells with defective IL‐10 expression. CD23 expression on switched memory B cells was downregulated after 12‐month AIT, which positively associated with disease remission in AR patients.
Conclusion
T‐B cell interaction, bridged by CD23 expression particularly on switched memory B cells, may be involved in the disease pathogenesis and mechanism of AIT in patients with AR.
Circulating memory B cells are increased in AR patients. The enhanced expression of CD23 on switched memory B cells correlates with antigen‐specific IgE levels, symptom scores, and allergen immunotherapy efficacy in AR patients. Tfh2 cells from AR patients have a greater capacity to induce CD23 expression on switched memory B cells via IL‐4, which is unable to be sufficiently suppressed by AR‐associated Tfr cells with defective IL‐10 expression.
Abbreviations: AIT, allergen immunotherapy; AR, allergic rhinitis; HC, healthy controls; NSM, nonswitched memory; SM, switched memory; Tfh2, type 2 follicular helper T cells; Tfr, follicular regulatory T cell.
Bimetallic Cu–Ag superstructures were successfully fabricated for the first time by using the natural leaves as reducing agent through a facile one-step hydrothermal process. Morphology, structure ...and composition of the Cu–Ag superstructures were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), respectively. The results reveal that the Cu–Ag superstructure is bimetallic nanocomposite constructed by nanoparticles with low Ag content and shows a rough surface and porous flexural algae-like microstructure. By using a three-dimensional nickel foam as the scaffold, a novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Cu–Ag nanocomposites has been fabricated and applied to non-enzymatic glucose detection. The as-prepared Cu–Ag nanocomposites based glucose sensor displays distinctly enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared to those obtained with pure Cu nanomaterials prepared with a similar procedure, revealing a synergistic effect of the matrix Cu and the doped Ag. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that the Cu–Ag superstructures based glucose sensor displays a fascinating sensitivity up to 7745.7μAmM−1cm−2, outstanding detection limit of 0.08μM and fast amperometric response (<2s) for glucose detection. Furthermore, the sensor also exhibits significant selectivity, excellent stability and reproducibility, as well as attractive feasibility for real sample analysis. Because of its excellent electrochemical performance, low cost and easy preparation, this novel electrode material is a promising candidate in the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensor.
•Cu–Ag superstructure was successfully prepared using the nature leaves as reductant.•The Cu–Ag/NF sensor displays a fascinating sensitivity for glucose oxidation.•The Cu–Ag/NF sensor shows good electrochemical properties towards glucose detection.•The Cu–Ag/NF sensor can be used for real sample with good accuracy and precision.
The function of follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells, especially in regulating IgE production in patients with allergic diseases, is poorly understood.
We sought to investigate the phenotype, ...function, and clinical relevance of TFR cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).
The phenotype and frequency of tonsillar and circulating TFR cells were characterized by using flow cytometry. TFR cell function was examined in an assay by coculturing with follicular helper T cells and B cells. The associations between TFR cells and the clinical features in patients with AR before and after allergen immunotherapy (AIT) were analyzed.
TFR cells were detected in germinal centers of tonsils, but compared with subjects without AR, the frequencies decreased in patients with AR who were allergic to house dust mites. Circulating TFR cells in blood were phenotypically and numerically correlated with tonsillar TFR cells, and a reduction of circulating TFR cells but not total or CXCR5− regulatory T cells was noted in patients with AR compared with healthy control subjects. Moreover, circulating TFR cells in patients with AR showed a specific defect in suppressing IgE production but were capable of suppressing production of other immunoglobulin types. We identified negative associations of circulating TFR cell frequencies and function with antigen-specific IgE levels or disease severity in patients with AR. After AIT, the frequencies and function of circulating TFR cells were improved, which positively associated with disease remission.
Impairment in TFR cells might contribute to aberrant IgE production in patients with AR, and AIT improves defective TFR cell function. TFR cells might serve as a potential biomarker to monitor clinical response to AIT.
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Starch composition and the amount in endosperm, both of which contribute dramatically to seed yield, cooking quality, and taste in cereals, are determined by a series of complex biochemical ...reactions. However, the mechanism regulating starch biosynthesis in cereal seeds is not well understood. This study showed that OsbZIP58, a bZIP transcription factor, is a key transcriptional regulator controlling starch synthesis in rice endosperm. OsbZIP58 was expressed mainly in endosperm during active starch synthesis. osbzip58 null mutants displayed abnormal seed morphology with altered starch accumulation in the white belly region and decreased amounts of total starch and amylose. Moreover, osbzip58 had a higher proportion of short chains and a lower proportion of intermediate chains of amylopectin. Furthermore, OsbZIP58 was shown to bind directly to the promoters of six starch-synthesizing genes, OsAGPL3, Wx, OsSSIIa, SBE1, OsBEIIb, and ISA2, and to regulate their expression. These findings indicate that OsbZIP58 functions as a key regulator of starch synthesis in rice seeds and provide new insights into seed quality control.
A family of three-dimensional chiral metal–formate frameworks of NH4M(HCOO)3 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn) displays paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transitions between 191 and 254 K, triggered by ...disorder–order transitions of NH4 + cations and their displacement within the framework channels, combined with spin-canted antiferromagnetic ordering within 8–30 K for the magnetic members, providing a new class of metal–organic frameworks showing the coexistence of magnetic and electric orderings.
Water-in-salt (WIS) electrolytes are successfully introduced into carbon-based supercapacitors to effectively promote energy density. However, temperature-dependent performance of carbon-based ...supercapacitors with these electrolytes is rarely discussed, and the key factors, determined electrochemical performance at a wide temperature range, are not revealed completely. Herein, three rose petal-derived porous carbons (RPC) with different pore properties are prepared by a KOH activation strategy. The electrochemical performance of RPC-based supercapacitors with different concentration LiTFSI WIS electrolytes is investigated from −20 to 100 °C. The working voltage of these supercapacitors can reach 2.4 V, and thus the energy density of RPC supercapacitors with 20 m LiTFSI electrolyte can highly attain 44 W h kg−1 at 564 W kg−1 and 60 °C. Even though the power density is 3.5 kW kg−1 at 25 °C, it can be maintained to 12 W h kg−1. More importantly, the electrochemical performance intimately depends on the temperature. Both electrolyte concentration and pore properties of RPC significantly influence the electrochemical performance of these supercapacitors at different temperature. Therefore, to achieve superior performance for carbon-based supercapacitors with the LiTFSI WIS electrolyte at a wide temperature range, the optimization of electrolyte concentration and rational design for pore properties of carbon materials are essential strategies.
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•Electrochemical performance of RPC supercapacitors is explored from −20 to 100 °C.•Working voltage of RPC supercapacitors can reach 2.4 V.•Energy density of RPC supercapacitors can attain 44 W h kg−1 at 564 W kg−1 and 60 °C.•The electrochemical performance intimately depends on the temperature.•Electrolyte concentration and pore properties influence electrochemical performance.
Notably, numbers of counterpart type 2 non-TFH cells (TH2) remained comparable between patients with AR and HC subjects (Fig 1, B, and see Fig E1, B). Because there was no difference in all other ...examined TH cell subsets between patients with AR and HC subjects (Fig 1, B, and see Fig E1, B), the difference of TFH2 cells suggests this TFH subset might play a prominent role in patients with AR. Furthermore, we found that blocking IL-4 diminished IgE production (Fig 1, E). ...an upregulated TFH2 response can robustly promote IL-4–mediated IgE induction in patients with AR. ...we measured IL-4 expression on Der p 1 stimulation and found that numbers of Der p 1–specific IL-4+ non-TFH and TFH cells were markedly increased in patients with AR, with greater expression of IL-4 detected again in TFH cells than non-TFH cells (see Fig E3, B). Consistent with previous reports,8 compared with those without AIT, the AIT group demonstrated significant symptom improvement and a decrease in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus–specific IgE levels after the 12-month treatment, which was accompanied by an increase in D pteronyssinus–specific IgG4 levels (see Fig E4, A and B, in this article's Online Repository at www.jacionline.org). ...compared with those without AIT, a significant reduction in numbers of both Der p 1–specific IL-4+ TFH and non-TFH cells was found in the AIT group after treatment with a more prominent reduction for the former (Fig 2, B).
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