AXL+SIGLEC6+ dendritic cells in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues of patients with autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of CNS.

Inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS (IDD) is a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases, and multiple sclerosis is the most common type. Dendritic cells (DCs), major antigen-presenting cells, have been proposed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of IDD. The AXL+SIGLEC6+ DC (ASDC) has been only recently identified in humans and has a high capability of T cell activation. Nevertheless, its contribution to CNS autoimmunity remains still obscure. Here, we aimed to identify the ASDC in diverse sample types from IDD patients and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). A detailed analysis of DC subpopulations using single-cell transcriptomics for the paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples of IDD patients (total n = 9) revealed that three subtypes of DCs (ASDCs, ACY3+ DCs, and LAMP3+ DCs) were overrepresented in CSF compared with their paired blood. Among these DCs, ASDCs were also more abundant in CSF of IDD patients than in controls, manifesting poly-adhesional and stimulatory characteristics. In the brain biopsied tissues of IDD patients, obtained at the acute attack of disease, ASDC were also frequently found in close contact with T cells. Lastly, the frequency of ASDC was found to be temporally more abundant in acute attack of disease both in CSF samples of IDD patients and in tissues of EAE, an animal model for CNS autoimmunity. Our analysis suggests that the ASDC might be involved in the pathogenesis of CNS autoimmunity.

Improvement in Acid Resistance of Polyimide Membranes: A Sustainable Cross-Linking Approach via Green-Solvent-Based Fenton Reaction.

In this study, we present a facile surface modification method using green solvents for a commercial polyimide (PI) nanofiltration membrane to exhibit good acid stability. To enhance acid stability, the PI organic solvent nanofiltration membrane was modified using Fenton's reaction, an oxidative cross-linking process, using environmentally friendly solvents: water and ethanol. The surface properties of the pristine and modified PI membranes were investigated and compared using various analytical tools. We studied the surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, performed elemental analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, investigated chemical bonds using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and studied thermal stability using thermogravimetric analysis. The acid resistances of the pristine and modified membranes were confirmed through performance tests. The pristine PI nanofiltration membrane exposed to a 50 w/v% sulfuric acid for 4 h showed an increase in the normalized water flux to 205% and a decrease in the MgSO4 normalized rejection to 44%, revealing damage to the membrane. The membrane modified by the Fenton reaction exhibited a decline in flux and improved rejection, which are typical performance changes after surface modification. However, the Fenton-modified membrane exposed to 50 w/v% sulfuric acid for 4 h showed a flux increase of 7% and a rejection increase of 4%, indicating improved acid resistance. Furthermore, the Fenton post-treatment enhanced the thermal stability and organic solvent resistance of the PI membrane. This study shows that the acid resistance of PI membranes can be successfully improved by a novel and facile Fenton reaction using green solvents.

The face behind the Covid-19 mask - A comprehensive review.

The threat of epidemic outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2 is growing owing to the exponential growth of the global population and the continual increase in human mobility. Personal protection against viral infections was enforced using ambient air filters, face masks, and other respiratory protective equipment. Available facemasks feature considerable variation in efficacy, materials usage and characteristic properties. Despite their widespread use and importance, face masks pose major potential threats due to the uncontrolled manufacture and disposal techniques. Improper solid waste management enables viral propagation and increases the volume of associated biomedical waste at an alarming rate. Polymers used in single-use face masks include a spectrum of chemical constituents: plasticisers and flame retardants leading to health-related issues over time. Despite ample research in this field, the efficacy of personal protective equipment and its impact post-disposal is yet to be explored satisfactorily. The following review assimilates information on the different forms of personal protective equipment currently in use. Proper waste management techniques pertaining to such special wastes have also been discussed. The study features a holistic overview of innovations made in face masks and their corresponding impact on human health and environment. Strategies with SDG3 and SDG12, outlining safe and proper disposal of solid waste, have also been discussed. Furthermore, employing the CFD paradigm, a 3D model of a face mask was created based on fluid flow during breathing techniques. Lastly, the review concludes with possible future advancements and promising research avenues in personal protective equipment.

Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the extensive use of face masks and protective personal equipment (PPE) kits has led to increasing degree of microplastic pollution (MP) because they are typically discarded into the seas, rivers, streets, and other parts of the environment. Currently, microplastic (MP) pollution has a negative impact on the environment because of high-level fragmentation. Typically, MP pollution can be detected by various techniques, such as microscopic analysis, density separation, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. However, there are limited studies on disposable face masks and PPE kits. A wide range of marine species ingest MPs in the form of fibers and fragments, which directly affect the environment and human health; thus, more research and development are needed on the effect of MP pollution on human health. This article provides a perspective on the origin and distribution of MP pollution in waterbodies (e.g., rivers, ponds, lakes, and seas) and wastewater treatment plants, and reviews the possible remediation of MP pollution related to the excessive disposal of face masks and PPE kits to aquatic environments.

Bevel Structure Based XPS Analysis as a Non-Destructive Chemical Probe for Complex Interfacial Structures of Organic Semiconductors.

The bevel structure of organic multilayers produced by finely controlled Ar gas cluster ion beam sputtering preserves both the molecular distribution and chemical states. Nevertheless, there is still an important question of whether this method can be applicable to organic multilayer structures composed of complex or ambiguous interfaces used in real organic optoelectronic devices. Herein, various bevel structures are fabricated from different types of organic semiconductors using a solution-based deposition technique: complicatedly intermixed electron-donor and electron-acceptor bulk heterojunction structure, thin film structure with an internal donor-acceptor concentration gradient, and multi-layered structure with more than three layers. For these organic material combinations listed above, the bevel structure is fabricated with finely tuned Ar gas cluster ion beam sputtering. The location-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results obtained for each bevel structure exactly correspond to the XPS depth profiles. This result demonstrates that the bevel structure analysis is a powerful method to distinguish subtle differences in chemical component distributions and chemical states of organic semiconductors even with complex or ambiguous interfaces. Ultimately, due to its reliability as verified by this study, the proposed bevel structure analysis is expected to greatly expand other analytical techniques with a limited spatial or depth resolution.

Acid-Resistance Enhancement of Thin-Film Composite Membrane Using Barrier Effect of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets.

In this study, the effect of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONs) embedded in a thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membrane on the acid resistance of the membrane was investigated by comparison with the effect of oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (o-SWNTs). Both GONs and o-SWNTs increased the hydrophilicity of the membranes and caused the formation of ridges and clustered bumps on the surfaces, resulting in slightly improved water permeability. However, the o-SWNTs-embedded membrane did not show a difference in acid resistance depending on the concentration of embedded material, but the acid resistance of the GONs-embedded membrane increased with increasing concentration. The acid resistance of the GONs-embedded membranes appears to be mainly due to the barrier effect caused by the nanosheet shape of the GONs along with a sacrificial role of the PA layer protruded by the addition of GONs and the decrease of acid reaction sites by the hydrogen bonding between GONs and PA. When the TFC PA membrane was prepared with a high amount (300 ppm) of the GONs without considering aggregation of GONs, membrane selectivity exceeding 95% was maintained 4.7 times longer than the control TFC membrane. This study shows that the acid resistance can be enhanced by the use of GONs, which give a barrier effect to the membrane.

Metasurface-driven OLED displays beyond 10,000 pixels per inch.

Optical metasurfaces are starting to find their way into integrated devices, where they can enhance and control the emission, modulation, dynamic shaping, and detection of light waves. In this study, we show that the architecture of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays can be completely reenvisioned through the introduction of nanopatterned metasurface mirrors. In the resulting meta-OLED displays, different metasurface patterns define red, green, and blue pixels and ensure optimized extraction of these colors from organic, white light emitters. This new architecture facilitates the creation of devices at the ultrahigh pixel densities (>10,000 pixels per inch) required in emerging display applications (for instance, augmented reality) that use scalable nanoimprint lithography. The fabricated pixels also offer twice the luminescence efficiency and superior color purity relative to standard color-filtered white OLEDs.

In-Depth Investigation of the Correlation between Organic Semiconductor Orientation and Energy-Level Alignment Using In Situ Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) are of interest for replacing traditional Si-based semiconductors as their flexibility and transparency enable new applications. The properties of OSC materials greatly depend on their orientation and molecular arrangement, which are strongly dependent on the underlying substrate material. Hence, in this study, in situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) is used to elucidate the effect of the substrate on OSC orientation. Two types of OSCs, namely those with shape anisotropy (pentacene, dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, and dibenzothiopheno[6,5-b:6',5'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) and those with shape isotropy (N,N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine, tris(4-carbazoyl-9-ylphenyl)amine, and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester), are deposited on different electrode materials. The differences in the UPS spectra of these materials are observed directly. In general, the orientation of anisotropic OSC molecules significantly depends on the substrate properties, while that of the isotropic ones do not. All the anisotropic OSC molecules grown on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes show a greater degree of molecular ordering than those grown on Au and multiwalled carbon nanotube/PEDOT:PSS electrodes. The molecular arrangements within the OSC/electrode structures are reflected in the energy-level shifts in the corresponding UPS spectra and hence in the electronic configurations. The results of this study should aid the design and synthesis of OSC materials with configurations suitable for organic electronic devices.

Surface innovation to enhance anti-droplet and hydrophobic behavior of breathable compressed-polyurethane masks.

With the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is essential that face masks demonstrating significant anti-droplet and hydrophobic characteristics are developed and distributed. In this study, a commercial compressed-polyurethane (C-PU) mask was modified by applying a hydrophobic and anti-droplet coating using a silica sol, which was formed by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) under alkaline conditions and hydrolyzed hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) to achieve hydrophobization. The modified mask (C-PU/Si/HDTMS) demonstrated good water repellency resulting in high water contact angle (132°) and low sliding angle (17°). Unmodified and modified masks were characterized using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A drainage test confirmed the strong interaction between the mask surface and coating. Moreover, the coating had negligible effect on the average pore size of the C-PU mask, which retained its high breathability after modification. The application of this coating is a facile approach to impart anti-droplet, hydrophobic, and self-cleaning characteristics to C-PU masks.

Review on Blueprint of Designing Anti-Wetting Polymeric Membrane Surfaces for Enhanced Membrane Distillation Performance.

Recently, membrane distillation (MD) has emerged as a versatile technology for treating saline water and industrial wastewater. However, the long-term use of MD wets the polymeric membrane and prevents the membrane from working as a semi-permeable barrier. Currently, the concept of antiwetting interfaces has been utilized for reducing the wetting issue of MD. This review paper discusses the fundamentals and roles of surface energy and hierarchical structures on both the hydrophobic characteristics and wetting tolerance of MD membranes. Designing stable antiwetting interfaces with their basic working principle is illustrated with high scientific discussions. The capability of antiwetting surfaces in terms of their self-cleaning properties has also been demonstrated. This comprehensive review paper can be utilized as the fundamental basis for developing antiwetting surfaces to minimize fouling, as well as the wetting issue in the MD process.

Investigation of a Gas Hydrate Dissociation-Energy-Based Quick-Freezing Treatment for Sludge Cell Lysis and Dewatering.

A gas Hydrate dissociation-energy-based Quick-Freezing treatment (HbQF) was applied for sewage sludge cell rupture and dewatering. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) molecules in sewage create CO2 gas hydrates, and subsequently the sludge rapidly freezes by releasing the applied pressure. Cell rupture was observed through a viability evaluation and leachate analysis. The decreased ratios of live cell to dead cells, increased osmotic pressure, and increased conductivity showed cell lysis and release of electrolytes via HbQF. The change in physicochemical properties of the samples resulting from HbQF was investigated via zeta potential measurement, rheological analysis, and particle size measurement. The HbQF treatment could not reduce the sludge water content when combined with membrane-based filtration post-treatment because of the pore blocking of fractured and lysed cells; however, it could achieve sludge microbial cell rupture, disinfection, and floc disintegration, causing enhanced reduction of water content and enhanced dewatering capability via a sedimentation post process. Furthermore, the organic-rich materials released by the cell rupture, investigated via the analysis of protein, polysaccharide, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen, may be returned to a biological treatment system or (an) aerobic digester to increase treatment efficiency.

B Cell Immunophenotyping and Transcriptional Profiles of Memory B Cells in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders mediated by various autoantibodies. Although most patients with MG require chronic immunosuppressive treatment to control disease activity, appropriate surveillance biomarkers that monitor disease activity or potential toxicity of immunosuppressants are yet to be developed. Herein, we investigated quantitative distribution of peripheral blood B cell subsets and transcriptional profiles of memory B cells (CD19+ CD27+) in several subgroups of MG patients classified according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Clinical Classification. This study suggests potential immunologic B-cell markers that may guide treatment decision in future clinical settings.

Realization of continuous Zachariasen carbon monolayer.

Rapid progress in two-dimensional (2D) crystalline materials has recently enabled a range of device possibilities. These possibilities may be further expanded through the development of advanced 2D glass materials. Zachariasen carbon monolayer, a novel amorphous 2D carbon allotrope, was successfully synthesized on germanium surface. The one-atom-thick continuous amorphous layer, in which the in-plane carbon network was fully sp2-hybridized, was achieved at high temperatures (>900°C) and a controlled growth rate. We verified that the charge carriers within the Zachariasen carbon monolayer are strongly localized to display Anderson insulating behavior and a large negative magnetoresistance. This new 2D glass also exhibited a unique ability as an atom-thick interface layer, allowing the deposition of an atomically flat dielectric film. It can be adopted in conventional semiconductor and display processing or used in the fabrication of flexible devices consisting of thin inorganic layers.

Adsorption of As(V) by boehmite and alumina of different morphologies prepared under hydrothermal conditions.

Morphology-controlled materials at the micro- and nanoscale levels are of great significance to the design and application of materials. Stable and well-dispersed boehmite and alumina with different morphologies were fabricated under hydrothermal conditions. The nitrate, chloride, and sulfate aluminum salts yielded nanoplate, microspindle, and microsphere morphologies, respectively. Calcination of the prepared boehmite samples yielded alumina samples with retention of the morphologies. In comparisons of samples with identical morphologies, alumina exhibited better uptake of As(V) than boehmite; the As(V) concentration was analyzed by the standard molybdenum blue method. The adsorption capabilities of the morphologically controlled materials are ranked microspindle > microsphere > nanoplate. The impacts of process parameters, such as reaction time; initial As(V) concentration; solution pH; competing ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3-, PO43-), which are common in most aquatic ecosystems; and co-contaminants (Cr(VI), Pb(II)), on removal efficiencies were examined. A well-defined mesostructure, superior surface area, chemical and electrostatic interaction, and surface charge distribution over the aluminol surface sites could be factors in the uptake of As(V). The design and synthesis of functional hierarchical micro- and nanostructured materials with the desired adsorptive properties, which are suitable for water treatment applications, can be achieved through environmentally benign hydrothermal fabrication.

The prediction of hole mobility in organic semiconductors and its calibration based on the grain-boundary effect.

A new reliable computational model to predict the hole mobility of poly-crystalline organic semiconductors in thin films was developed. Site energy differences and transfer integrals in crystalline morphologies of organic molecules were obtained from quantum chemical calculations, in which periodic boundary conditions were efficiently applied to capture the interactions with the surrounding molecules in the crystalline organic layer. Then the parameters were employed in kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations to estimate the carrier mobility. Carrier transport in multiple directions has been considered in the kMC simulation to mimic poly-crystalline characteristics under thin-film conditions. Furthermore, the calculated mobility was corrected using a calibration equation based on microscopy images of the thin films to take the effect of grain boundaries into account. As a result, good agreement was observed between the predicted and measured hole mobility values for 21 molecular species: the coefficient of determination (R(2)) was estimated to be 0.83 and the mean absolute error was 1.32 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). This numerical approach can be applied to any molecules for which crystal structures are available and will provide a rapid and precise way of predicting device performance.

Predictors of Hemorrhage Volume after Intravenous Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is one of the most feared complications after administration of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA). The aim of this study was to determine correlations between hemorrhage volume (HV) after IV rtPA treatment and risk factors for sICH. METHODS: We analyzed 318 patients from the stroke registries of 4 hospitals in Korea. We confirmed hemorrhage by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging within 36 hours. Patient groups were classified by HV (0, 0-10, 10-25, and greater than 25 mL). Based on the HV, we evaluated the following: (1) predictors for hemorrhage; (2) rates of sICH according to various sICH definitions; and (3) 3-month functional outcomes after IV rtPA treatment. RESULTS: Among the 318 patients, hemorrhage occurred in 72 patients. HV was significantly correlated with atrial fibrillation (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.87-6.09), early CT changes (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.69-5.93), and dense artery sign (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.07-3.39). Compared with the groups with HV less than 25 mL, patients with an HV of greater than 25 mL were more likely to have higher mortality rates (33.3% versus 11.8%) and worse outcomes at 3 months (good: 8.3% versus 50.3%; excellent: 0% versus 33.7%). CONCLUSIONS: HV after IV rtPA is an important predictor of clinical outcomes. Atrial fibrillation, early CT changes, and dense artery sign were significantly associated with large HVs; therefore, these patient factors might be considered before and after thrombolytic treatment.

Distinctive green recovery of silver species from modified cellulose: mechanism and spectroscopic studies.

The present study aimed to recover precious silver in order to identify the adsorption coupled reduction pathways that determine this process. A combination technique of adsorption and nanocrystallization was used to investigate the recovery of silver species from taurine-cellulose (T-DAC) samples. The non-synthetic route of nanocrystallization yielded spherical zero-valent silver sized ∼ 18 nm. Rate-controlling steps were modeled by adsorption parameters by the best fit of Langmuir capacity (55 mg/g), pseudo-second order curves, and exothermic chemical reactions. The T-DAC was an excellent sorbing phase for the treatment of silver-polluted waters over a broad range of pH (2.1-10.1) and varying ionic strengths (8.5-850 mM, as NaCl), which are the conditions often encountered in industrial and mining effluents. A good recovery of silver (40-65%) was also obtained in the presence of Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II), and As(V) at lower or equivalent concentrations with Ag(I), either from individually added metals or from all metal ions mixed together. Desorption was compared with a series of five eluents including complexing agents. In these experiments acidified thiourea yielded 86% desorption of Ag(I). Aqueous silver reduced to metallic silver on the surface of the T-DAC samples, which was confirmed by X-ray photo electron spectroscopy.

Pretreatment with alum or powdered activated carbon reduces bacterial predation-associated irreversible fouling of membranes.

This study evaluated the co-application of bacterial predation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and either alum coagulation or powdered activated carbon adsorption to reduce fouling caused by Escherichia coli rich feed solutions in dead-end microfiltration tests. The flux increased when the samples were predated upon or treated with 100 ppm alum or PAC, but co-treatment with alum and predation gave the best flux results. The total membrane resistance caused by the predated sample was reduced six-fold when treated with 100 ppm PAC, from 11.8 to 1.98 × 10(11) m(-1), while irreversible fouling (Rp) was 2.7-fold lower. Treatment with 100 ppm alum reduced the total resistance 14.9-fold (11.8 to 0.79 × 10(11) m(-1)) while the Rp decreased 4.25-fold. SEM imaging confirmed this, with less obvious fouling of the membrane after the combined process. This study illustrates that the combination of bacterial predation and the subsequent removal of debris using coagulation or adsorption mitigates membrane biofouling and improves membrane performance.

Antimicrobial peptides in the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans.

The centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans is an environmentally beneficial and medically important arthropod species. Although this species is increasingly applied as a reliable source of new antimicrobial peptides, the transcriptome of this species is a prerequisite for more rational selection of antimicrobial peptides. In this report, we isolated total RNA from the whole body of adult centipedes, S. subspinipes mutilans, that were nonimmunized and immunized against Escherichia coli, and we generated a total of 77,063 pooled contigs and singletons using high-throughput sequencing. To screen putative antimicrobial peptides, in silico analyses of the S. subspinipes mutilans transcriptome were performed based on the physicochemical evidence of length, charge, isoelectric point, and in vitro and in vivo aggregation scores together with the existence of continuous antimicrobial peptide stretches. Moreover, we excluded some transcripts that showed similarity with both previously known antimicrobial peptides and the human proteome, had a proteolytic cleavage site, and had downregulated expression compared with the nonimmunized sample. As a result, we selected 17 transcripts and tested their antimicrobial activity with a radial diffusion assay. Among them, ten synthetic peptides experimentally showed antimicrobial activity against microbes and no toxicity to mouse erythrocytes. Our results provide not only a useful set of antimicrobial peptide candidates and an efficient strategy for novel antimicrobial peptide development but also the transcriptome data of a big centipede as a valuable resource.

Preparation and characterization of titania-deposited silica composite hollow fiber membranes with high hydrothermal stability.

Hydrothermal stability of a porous nickel-supported silica membrane was successfully improved by deposition of titania multilayers on colloidal silica particles embedded in the porous nickel fiber support. Porous nickel-supported silica membranes were prepared by means of a dipping-freezing-fast drying (DFF) method. The titania layers were deposited on colloidal silica particles by repeating hydrolysis and condensation reactions of titanium isopropoxide on the silica particle surfaces. The deposition of thin titania layers on the nickel-supported silica membrane was verified by various analytical tools. The water flux and the solute rejection of the porous Ni fiber-supported silica membranes did not change after titania layer deposition, indicating that thickness of titania layers deposited on silica surface is enough thin not to affect the membrane performance. Moreover, improvement of the hydrothermal stability in the titania-deposited silica membranes was confirmed by stability tests, indicating that thin titania layers deposited on silica surface played an important role as a diffusion barrier against 90 degrees C water into silica particles.