Summary
Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of macrophages. Classically activated macrophages are considered to promote T helper type 1 responses and have strong microbicidal, pro‐inflammatory ...activity, whereas alternatively activated macrophages are supposed to be associated with promotion of tissue remodelling and responses to anti‐inflammatory reactions. Transformation of different macrophage phenotypes is reflected in their different, sometimes even opposite, roles in various diseases or inflammatory conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of macrophage polarization (MP). Several miRNAs are induced by Toll‐like receptors signalling in macrophages and target the 3′‐untranslated regions of mRNAs encoding key molecules involved in MP. Therefore, identification of miRNAs related to the dynamic changes of MP and understanding their functions in regulating this process are important for discussing the molecular basis of disease progression and developing novel miRNA‐targeted therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs in MP with relevance to immune response and inflammation.
Biological materials relied on multiple synergistic structural design elements typically exhibit excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. Hierarchical incorporation of different biostructural ...elements into a single artificial material is a promising approach to enhance mechanical properties, but remains challenging. Herein, a biomimetic structural design strategy is proposed by coupling gradient structure with twisted plywood Bouligand structure, attempting to improve the impact resistance of ceramic‐polymer composites. Via robocasting and sintering, kaolin ceramic filaments reinforced by coaxially aligned alumina nanoplatelets are arranged into Bouligand structure with a gradual transition in filament spacing along the thickness direction. After the following polymer infiltration, biomimetic ceramic‐polymer composites with a gradient Bouligand (GB) structure are eventually fabricated. Experimental investigations reveal that the incorporation of gradient structure into Bouligand structure improves both the peak force and total energy absorption of the obtained ceramic‐polymer composites. Computational modeling further suggests the substantial improvement in impact resistance by adopting GB structure, and clarifies the underlying deformation behavior of the biomimetic GB structured composites under impact. This biomimetic design strategy may provide valuable insights for developing lightweight and impact‐resistant structural materials in the future.
Translating different biostructural elements into a single synthetic material represents a promising pathway to achieve improved mechanical properties. Here, one new‐style biomimetic structure is designed by coupling gradient structure with Bouligand structure, resulting in a ceramic‐polymer composite with synergistically enhanced impact resistance. This work highlights the importance of hierarchical structural design for future impact‐resistant structural materials.
•This review clarifies the debates on the effects of glass particles on concrete properties.•The effects of glass on concrete properties depend on glass particle size and percentage.•Appropriate use ...of glass can improve the flowability and mechanical strength of concrete.•Using glass can improve the permeability and freezing-thawing resistance of concrete.•Reducing glass particle size is effective in suppressing ASR expansion.
While a large amount of waste glass is annually produced worldwide, a limited percentage of waste glass is recycled. Recycling glass in concrete has shown great promise in solid waste management because there is a high volume of concrete in civil infrastructure. However, a consensus on the effects of waste glass in concrete has not been achieved. Some researchers reported that the use of waste glass improved the properties of concrete, but some researchers reported opposite results. The inconsistent results of the effect of waste glass hinder the acceptance of glass in producing concrete. This review aims to clarify the debates and attempts to elucidate the opposite viewpoints. To this end, this paper reviews different results reported by different research groups and proposes new perspectives based on analyzing underlying mechanisms, considering different types of waste glass, including soda-lime, electric, lead, and borosilicate glass. The reviewed contents include the fresh properties, compressive strength, durability, thermal properties, electrical properties, and microstructure of concrete. This review is expected to advance the knowledge of recycling glass in producing concrete, point out future research needs, and facilitate wider adoption of waste glass concrete in developing sustainable and durable infrastructure.
With doping concentration varying from 0.1 to 5.0 mol%, a series of Dy3+ doped calcium aluminate (CaAl2O4:Dy3+) phosphors were synthesized via a sol–gel combustion technique. The phase, morphology, ...photoluminescence (PL), afterglow, and thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of CaAl2O4:Dy3+ were investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, PL spectroscopy, afterglow spectroscopy, and TL dosimetry, respectively. It is found that: (i) oxygen vacancies and Dy3+ work as two independent sets of luminescence centers of PL for CaAl2O4:Dy3+; (ii) Dy3+ works as the luminescence center of afterglow for CaAl2O4:Dy3+; (iii) the afterglow of CaAl2O4:Dy3+ lasts for about 115 min at the optimal doping concentration of around 0.8 mol%; and (iv) multiple traps, which are sensitive to doping concentration, are present in CaAl2O4:Dy3+. The PL and afterglow mechanisms of CaAl2O4:Dy3+ are discussed to reveal the processes of charged carrier excitation, migration, trapping, detrapping, and radiative recombination in CaAl2O4:Dy3+.
The unique electronic and structural properties of 2D materials have triggered wide research interest in catalysis. The lattice of 2D materials and the interface between 2D covers and other ...substrates provide intriguing confinement environments for active sites, which has stimulated a rising area of “confinement catalysis with 2D materials.” Fundamental understanding of confinement catalysis with 2D materials will favor the rational design of high‐performance 2D nanocatalysts. Confinement catalysis with 2D materials has found extensive applications in energy‐related reaction processes, especially in the conversion of small energy‐related molecules such as O2, CH4, CO, CO2, H2O, and CH3OH. Two representative strategies, i.e., 2D lattice‐confined single atoms and 2D cover‐confined metals, have been applied to construct 2D confinement catalytic systems with superior catalytic activity and stability. Herein, the recent advances in the design, applications, and structure–performance analysis of two 2D confinement catalytic systems are summarized. The different routes for tuning the electronic states of 2D confinement catalysts are highlighted and perspectives on confinement catalysis with 2D materials toward energy conversion and utilization in the future are provided.
The recent advances in the design, applications, and structure–performance analysis of confinement catalysis with two‐dimensional materials are highlighted, with a focus on tuning the electronic states of active sites. Such confinement catalysis with 2D materials offers unique solutions for improving catalytic performance in heterogeneous systems for energy conversion and utilization.
Geographical, environmental and pollution conditions affect facial skin health, but their effects on skin appearance have not been elucidated. This study aimed to describe the skin barrier and skin ...tone characteristics of Chinese subjects according to lifestyle and environmental conditions using in vitro measurements. In total, 1092 women aged 22-42 years were recruited from 7 representative Chinese cities. Eight skin parameters (hydration, sebum, pH, transdermal water loss, individual type angle, melanin index, erythema index, yellowness) were measured using noninvasive instruments; individual lifestyle data were also collected. Data on four meteorological factors (air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine duration, wind speed) and seven air pollution indicators (air quality index, fine particulate matter, breathable particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone) were collected in each city from the China Meteorological Administration. Facial skin characteristics differed significantly between cities. Facial skin barrier characteristics and skin tones showed regional differences, with a better skin barrier associated with the western region, as indicated by high skin hydration and sebum secretion and a low pH value. According to the value of transdermal water loss, lighter and darker skin tones were found in the western and southern regions, respectively. Environmental conditions affected facial skin status. Air pollution induced facial skin issues, with fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide contributing the most. Individual lifestyles affected the facial skin barrier and skin tone.
The pathogenesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been fully elucidated. Gestational hypertension could double the probability of ADHD in the offspring, while the initial ...bacterial communication between the mother and offspring has been associated with psychiatric disorders. Thus, we hypothesize that antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy may abate the impairments in neurodevelopment of the offspring. To test this hypothesis, we chose Captopril and Labetalol, to apply to pregnant spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) dams and examined the outcomes in the male offspring. Our data demonstrated that maternal treatment with Captopril and Labetalol had long-lasting changes in gut microbiota and behavioral alterations, including decreased hyperactivity and increased curiosity, spatial learning and memory in the male offspring. Increased diversity and composition were identified, and some ADHD related bacteria were found to have the same change in the gut microbiota of both the dam and offspring after the treatments. LC-MS/MS and immunohistochemistry assays suggested elevated expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of offspring exposed to Captopril/ Labetalol, which may account for the improvement of the offspring's psychiatric functions. Therefore, our results support the beneficial long-term effects of the intervention of gestational hypertension in the prevention of ADHD.
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•Maternal Captopril/Labetalol treatment alleviated ADHD symptoms in SHR offspring.•Maternal Captopril/Labetalol treatment altered gut microbiota in SHR offspring.•Maternal Captopril/Labetalol treatment elevated brain dopamine in SHR offspring.
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