Hints that the growth of some lymphomas is stimulated by bacterial antigens and can be controlled by treatment with antibiotics first emerged in the 1970s. Subsequently, a specific type of B-cell ...lymphoma -- mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma -- was identified that is associated with bacterial infection and auto-antigen stimulation. This article chronicles the clinical, immunological and molecular developments in our knowledge of MALT lymphoma and the factors that contribute to its pathogenesis.
Marine octocorals belonging to the genus Cladiella, usually encountered on reefs in the Indo‐Pacific region, have been proven to be rich sources of diverse secondary metabolites with intriguing ...structural features and promising bioactivities. In this review, 155 compounds from six unambiguously identified C. krempfi, C. australis, C. pachyclados, C. hirsuta, C. tuberculosa, C. conifera, together with several unidentified Cladiella spp. are summarized covering the literatures from 2006 to August 2022. It is noteworthy that diterpenoids dominated the secondary metabolite profile of this genus counting for 78 %. Structurally, the majority of these diterpenes belonged to eunicellan family characterized by different patterns of ether linkage. The impacts of these chemical compositions on an array of potential pharmacological activities were also reviewed, giving an overview of the potential application of Cladiella secondary metabolites.
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•Tri-chamber nanofibers in the form of core–shell microstructure embedded on one side of the Janus main structure were designed.•Hydrophilic and pH sensitive polymers were combined ...skillfully in complicated structure nanocomposites.•The tri-chamber nanofibers facilitated the rapid release of quercetin and the delayed and sustained release of tamoxifen citrate.•The tri-chamber nanofibers could result in a synergistic anticancer action of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate.
A tri-fluid electrospinning process was successfully developed to prepare tri-chamber complex nanofibers. The core–shell and Janus structure were combined to form a delicate and complicated architecture for solving the problem of co-administration of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate, improving the oral bioavailability, and enhancing their synergistic anti-breast cancer actions. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and confocal fluorescent microscopy images showed the complex structure of the designed nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analyses verified that the model drugs and the polymeric excipients had good compatibility and were presented in an amorphous state. The in vitro release study certified that the tri-chamber nanofibers facilitated the rapid release of quercetin compared with that of the crude drug (90% versus 38%) and the delayed and sustained release of tamoxifen citrate at the same time interval (decreased by 1.88 times). The in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis verified that the tri-chamber nanofibers could result in increased oral bioavailability and enhanced synergistic anticancer action of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate. The findings proved that a new medicated drug delivery system with advanced dual-, time-, and target-specific drug release profiles was developed using the electrospun complex nanostructure.
With the development of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), miniaturized, low-power and low-cost inertial measurement units (IMUs) have been widely integrated into mobile terminals and smart ...wearable devices. This provides the prospect of a broad application for the inertial sensor-based pedestrian dead-reckoning (IPDR) systems. Especially for indoor navigation and indoor positioning, the IPDR systems have many unique advantages that other methods do not have. At present, a large number of technologies and methods for IPDR systems are proposed. In this paper, we have analyzed and outlined the IPDR systems based on about 80 documents in the field of IPDR in recent years. The article is structured in the form of an introduction-elucidation-conclusion framework. First, we proposed a general framework to explore the structure of an IPDR system. Then, according to this framework, the IPDR system was divided into six relatively independent subproblems, which were discussed and summarized separately. Finally, we proposed a graph structure of IPDR systems, and a sub-directed graph, formed by selecting a combined path from the start node to the end node, skillfully constitutes a technical route of one specific IPDR system. At the end of the article, we summarized some key issues that need to be resolved before the IPDR systems are widely used.
Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is among the more common types of lymphoma accounting for up to 8% of newly diagnosed lymphoma cases. ...As opposed to other B-cell lymphomas, however, no predominant genetic hallmark has been defined in MALT lymphoma, but different localizations appear to be affected by different, sometimes distinct changes. Nonetheless, a high proportion of these genetic changes reported in MALT lymphomas dysregulate the pathways leading to NF-kB activation. t(11;18)(q21;q21)/BIRC3::MALT1 appears to be MALT lymphoma specific and is found in 24% of gastric and 40% of pulmonary MALT lymphomas. The translocation is associated with more disseminated disease in gastric MALT lymphoma and is found in a large percentage of patients whose lymphoma is unresponsive to antibiotic eradication of Helicobacter pylori. In addition to t(11;18)(q21;q21), nuclear expression of BCL10 or NF-kB appears to be highly associated with lymphoma cell survival independence of H. pylori-mediated stimulations. Antibiotic eradication, however, is the recommended therapy of choice irrespective of genetic findings, and molecular analysis is not required before initiation of therapy. The influence of genetic translocations including t(11;18)(q21;q21) on systemic therapies, however, is less clearly defined. While small series have shown no influence on the outcome for treatment with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (R) or treatment with cladribine (2-CdA), conflicting data have been reported for alkylating agents, especially chlorambucil and the combination of R + chlorambucil. None of other genetic changes seen in MALT lymphoma to date has discernible value in routine clinical applications, but recent data suggest that changes in TNFAIP3(A20), KMTD2 and CARD11 might be associated with response to Bruton kinase inhibitors.
Sandwiched-like sodium-containing TiO2 nanowires/nanosheets (STO-W/S) hybrid thin layer is engineered on the surface of PP separator. The synergistic effect of the unique structure, the polar nature, ...the strong chemical adsorption and regeneration capability of STO-W/S to LixS8 give the modified PP separator much improved electrolyte wettability, greatly enhanced Li+ conductivity and effective suppression capability to the “shuttling” of LPSs.
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•The titania nanosheets and nanowires hybrids was prepared by an one-pot strategy.•Chemical adsorption and structural confinement effects block the shuttle of LixS6.•Li+ can freely transfer from the channels created between the STO-W and STO-S.•STO-W/S engineered PP separators exhibit superior electrochemical performance.
The “shuttling” of the dissolved lithium polysulfides (LPSs) has been a major impediment to the development of a robust lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Functionalization of commercial polypropylene (PP) separators has been considered as a promising alternative strategy for further mitigation of the “shuttle effect” of LPSs. Herein, we re-engineer the surface of PP separator with a sodium-containing TiO2 hybrid composed of nanowires and nanosheets (STO-W/S), forming a unique sandwich-like surface layer. The polar nature of STO surface layer indubitably improves its wettability to electrolyte, subsequently enhancing Li+ conductivity. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of the sandwiched sheet/nanowire hybrid structure, its strong chemical adsorption and the regeneration capability of STO-W/S to LPSs effectively suppresses the “shuttling” of LPSs. As expected, LSBs coupled with STO-W/S modified PP separators show superior electrochemical performance. They deliver high discharge capacity of 813 mAh·g−1 at 1C and superior cycling stability with a capacity fading rate of 0.067% for each cycle, and the capacity was still maintained at ~541 mAh·g−1 for 500 cycles. Based on the aforementioned advantages, this newly-proposed functionalization strategy for separators can be a promising route to develop the next-generation multifunctional separators for high-performance LSBs.
The mixed development of livestock breeding and industry in non-urban zones is a very general phenomenon in China. Distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in non-urban sewage treatment ...systems has not been paid enough attentions. In this study, eleven tetracycline resistance genes (tetA, tetB, tetC, tetE, tetG, tetL, tetM, tetO, tetQ, tetS and tetX), four AmpC β-lactamase genes (EBC, MOX, FOX and CIT) and four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were detected and analyzed in four non-urban sewage plants with different sewage sources and different treatment processes in Guangzhou. The results showed that tetA and tetC were the most prevalent tetracycline resistance genes with the same detection frequency of 85% and EBC was the most prevalent AmpC β-lactamase gene with a detection frequency of 75%. The relative abundance of tetracycline resistance genes was approximately 1.6 orders of magnitudes higher than that of AmpC β-lactamase genes in all samples. A/O was the most effective process for the non-urban sewage plant receiving industrial or agricultural wastewater. Sedimentation was the most key process to eliminate ARGs from liquid phase. Most ARGs were carried in excess sludge rather than effluent. Significant correlation was found between the tet gene and Zn (r = 0.881, p < 0.01), followed by the AmpC gene and Cu (r = 0.847, p < 0.01), the tet gene and Cu (r = 0.714, p < 0.05). Therefore, the pollution of ARGs in the sewage treatment systems of non-urban zones co-polluted by heavy metals should be paid more attentions.
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•A/O was suitable process for ARGs removal.•Process of sedimentation made more contribution to ARGs elimination than disinfection.•ARGs relative abundances were significant positive related to metals concentrations.•Excess sludge poses more potential risks than effluent for higher residual of ARGs.
AIM: To investigate the role of Gadd45 a in hepatic fibrosis and the transforming growth factor（TGF）-β/Smad signaling pathway.METHODS: Wild-type male BALB/c mice were treated with CCl4 to induce a ...model of chronic liver injury. Hepatic stellate cells（HSCs） were isolated from the liver of BALB/c mice and were treated with small interfering RNAs（si RNAs） targeting Gadd45 a or the pc DNA3.1-Gadd45 a recombinant plasmid. Cellular α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）, β-actin, type Ⅰ collagen, phosphoSmad2, phospho-Smad3, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 were detected by Western blots. The m RNA levels of α-SMA, β-actin, and type Ⅰ collagen were determined by quantitative real-time（q RT）-PCR analyses. Reactive oxygen species production was monitored by flow cytometry using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.Gadd45a, Gadd45 b, anti-Gadd45 g, type Ⅰ collagen, and SMA local expression in liver tissue were measured by histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Significant downregulation of Gadd45 a, but not Gadd45 b or Gadd45 g, accompanied by activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways was detected in fibrotic liver tissues of mice and isolated HSCs with chronic liver injury induced by CCl4 treatment. Overexpression of Gadd45 a reduced the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and α-SMA in HSCs, whereas transient knockdown of Gadd45 a with si RNA reversed this process. Gadd45 a inhibited the activity of a plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter construct and（CAGA）9 MLP-Luc, an artificial Smad3/4-specific reporter, as well as reduced the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3. Gadd45 a showed protective effects by scavenging reactive oxygen species and upregulating antioxidant enzymes.CONCLUSION: Gadd45 a may counteract hepatic fibrosis by regulating the activation of HSCs via the inhibition of TGF-β/Smad signaling.
•A 3-D model for exhaust-based thermoelectric waste heat recovery is developed.•Various heat, mass and electric transfer characteristics are elucidated.•Channel size needs to be moderate to balance ...heat transfer and pressure drop.•Bafflers need to be placed at all locations near all TEG modules.•Baffler angle needs to be sufficiently large, especially for downstream locations.
Thermoelectric generator (TEG) has attracted considerable attention for the waste heat recovery of internal combustion engine. In this study, a 3-D numerical model for engine exhaust-based thermoelectric generator (ETEG) system is developed. By considering the detailed geometry of thermoelectric generator (TEG) and exhaust channel, the various transport phenomena are investigated, and design optimization suggestions are given. It is found that the exhaust channel size needs to be moderate to balance the heat transfer to TEG modules and pressure drop along channel. Increasing the number of exhaust channels may improve the performance, however, since more space and TEG modules are needed, the system size and cost need to be considered as well. Although only placing bafflers at the channel inlet could increase the heat transfer coefficient for the whole channel, the near wall temperature downstream might decrease significantly, leading to performance degradation of the TEG modules downstream. To ensure effective utilization of hot exhaust gas, the baffler angle needs to be sufficiently large, especially for the downstream locations. Since larger baffler angles increase the pressure drop significantly, it is suggested that variable baffler angles, with the angle increasing along the flow direction, might be a middle course for balancing the heat transfer and pressure drop. A single ETEG design may not be suitable to all the engine operating conditions, and making the number of exhaust channels and baffler angle adjustable according to different engine operating conditions might improve the performance.
China has the second largest birth cohort in the world and the second highest number of deaths due to rotavirus infection. It is also the only country with a licensed rotavirus vaccine. Chinese ...policy makers now need credible estimates of the burden of rotavirus disease, to decide about vaccine use. From August 2001 through July 2003, prospective hospital-based surveillance for rotavirus diarrhea among children <5 years of age was conducted in 6 sentinel hospitals. Rotavirus isolates were characterized to determine the G and P genotypes circulating during the study. Of 3149 children who were admitted to the hospitals for diarrhea and for whom screening for rotavirus was performed, 1590 (50%) had positive results of an antigen detection assay. Of all episodes of rotavirus diarrhea, 95% occurred during the first 2 years of life. The most common rotavirus strain was P8G3 (49% of episodes), and all the common strains were detected, including G9 strains (4% of episodes). Ongoing efforts are under way to more precisely define the burden of rotavirus diarrhea in urban and rural populations, to assess the proportion of episodes that may be due to unusual or emerging strains, and to estimate the economic burden of rotavirus disease.
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