Anthraquinone-intercalated V2O5 with Al3+ for superior zinc-ion batteries: reversible transformation between disorder and order.

Oxygen-deficient anthraquinone (AQ)-intercalated vanadium oxide (1,8-AQ)0.08V2O5·0.25H2O (AQ-VO) was synthesized hydrothermally, which displayed an improved rate capability with an ultralong lifespan in the electrolyte with Al3+ compared with that in the absence of Al3+. These features are associated with the dual-pillar of Al3+/AQ in AQ-VO and the dynamic reversible conversion between disorder and order on the (00l) facets. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations discover a small Zn2+ diffusion barrier of 0.47 eV in AQ-VO.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and severe infection following chemotherapy for peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A case report.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare complication of malignant lymphoma. The current study describes a case of GBS in a patient with peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). A 47-year-old male was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, China) with systemic multiple subcutaneous nodules and was diagnosed with stage IV high-grade PTCL-NOS (according to the Revised European American Lymphoma Classification). During chemotherapy, severe infection and progressive flaccid quadriparesis appeared, which eventually developed to respiratory muscles paralysis. The clinical course and neurological examination were consistent with GBS. Following mechanical ventilation and intravenous immunoglobulin administration, the neurological symptoms were in remission after one month. Three months later, the patient achieved complete remission without any treatment during this period. We hypothesized that immune reconstruction may have a significant role in this phenomenon.

[Effect of combined use of sIL-5Rα and sIL-13Rα2 on VCAM-1 and IFN-γ in allergic rhinitis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sIL-5Rα and sIL-13Rα2 on VCAM-1 and IFN-γ in allergic rhinitis rats. METHODS: A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the normal group (group A), the allergic rhinitis model group (group B), the sIL-5Rα treatment group (group C), the sIL-13Rα2 treatment group (group D), the combination of sIL-5Rα and sIL-13Rα2 treatment group (group E or the combined treatment group). Rats in the latter 4 groups were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and Al(OH)(3), and challenged with OVA to establish allergic rhinitis models, while rats in the normal group were treated with saline. Rats in the sIL-5Rα treatment group, the sIL-13Rα2 treatment group and the combined treatment group were absorbed on day 31 to day 38 once daily once nasal cavity with sIL-5Rα(100 µg), sIL-13Rα2 (100 µg) and the combination of sIL-5Rα (100 µg) and sIL-13Rα2 (100 µg) 30 min before challenged, while rats in the allergic rhinitis model group received PBS(50 µl). Then the levels of VCAM-1 and IFN-γ in serum and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the levels of VCAM-1 in the allergic rhinitis model group were higher, while IFN-γ were lower (all P < 0.01). Compared with the allergic rhinitis model group, the sIL-5Rα treatment group, the sIL-13Rα2 treatment group and the combined treatment group could effectively reduced serum and NLF VCAM-1 level [group E: (283.5 ± 5.7) µg/L, (101.8 ± 4.8) µg/L; group C: (311.5 ± 12.6) µg/L, (133.9 ± 5.8) µg/L; group D: (304.7 ± 6.6) µg/L, (128.5 ± 7.7) µg/L], and increased IFN-γ level [group E: (874.7 ± 9.6) pg/ml, (349.2 ± 12.1) pg/ml; group C: (600.2 ± 16.1) pg/ml, (195.5 ± 16.1) pg/ml; group D: (577.9 ± 9.6) pg/ml, (196.7 ± 9.9) pg/ml ]; compared with single treatment, the combined treatment group also had significant differences(P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with sIL-5Rα and sIL-13Rα2 to treat the allergic rhinitis rats can significantly reduce VCAM-1 levels in serum and NLF, and increase IFN-γ levels, thus, to achieve the purpose of mitigation and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

[Effects of intranasal interferon gamma on transforming growth factor-ß1/Smad in rats with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intranasal interferon gamma (IFN-γ) on nasal mucosa remodeling and expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 in allergic rhinitis (AR) rat model. METHODS: Ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide were used to construct the AR model. Thirty AR rats were randomly divided into positive control group (group B, n = 10), IFN-γ treatment group (group C, n = 10) and negative control group (normal rats, n = 10). After the AR models were built, 50 µl PBS, 1 µg IFN-γ was dropped into the nasal cavity of each rat in group B and group C, from the fouth week to tenth week, twice a week. The nasal mucosa was collected on day 71 in order to observe the pathologic changes, and the expression of TGF-ß1, TGF-ß1 mRNA, Smad2 mRNA, Smad3 mRNA and Smad7 mRNA by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Decreases of TGF-ß1, Smad2 and Smad3 mRNA were seen in nasal tissue of group C (0.59 ± 0.04, 0.39 ± 0.08, 0.46 ± 0.15) as compared with group B (0.82 ± 0.12, 0.70 ± 0.18, 0.95 ± 0.26), the differences were significant (q value were 3.15, 4.47, 3.03, all P < 0.05). The levels of Smad7 mRNA expression increased significantly (q = 2.98, P < 0.05) in group C (0.31 ± 0.05) as compared with group B (0.25 ± 0.06). Immunohistochemistry showed significant decrease of TGF-ß1 expression in the nasal tissue of group C much lesser than that in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal IFN-γ could decrease the expression of TGF-ß1, TGF-ß1 mRNA, Smad2 mRNA, Smad3 mRNA, increase the expression of Smad7 mRNA in AR rats model and inhibit the nasal mucosa remodeling.

[Significance of the examination of path between eosinophils in peripheral blood and marrow stem cells for evaluating the effect of hormone therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: By means of the detection of the numbers of CD34(+) cells and eosinophils (EOS), and the level of IL-5 in peripheral blood from normal controls and patients with allergic rhinitis pre- or post-treatment, the role of EOS-stem cells paths for treatment effect in allergic rhinitis (AR) was studied so as to find the convenient and quick indicators which could be used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and adjust the methods of the hormone therapy. METHODS: There were 2 groups. (1) experimental group: 44 patients, including 24 males and 20 females with a age range of 7 to 68 years old. The patients received the treatment of fluticasone spurt for four weeks. (2) CONTROL GROUP: 30 cases, from normal health examination. The EOS numbers, CD4(+) cell numbers and the IL-5 level were examined in control group as well as before and after therapy in experimental group. RESULTS: The IL-5 level and CD numbers before therapy in experimental group were (88.25 +/- 33.47) ng/L, (9.24 +/- 2.15)/10(5), significantly higher than that after therapy and experimental group which were (44.34 +/- 16.32) ng/L, (6.31 +/- 1.83)/10(5) and (31.24 +/- 8.43) ng/L, (3.47 +/- 1.32)/10(5) respectively. The IL-5 level was positively correlated with the CD34(+) number pre-and post treatment in experimental group (r = 0.64, P <0.01; (r = 0.61, P <0.01). The EOS number was positively correlated with the level of IL-5 (r = 0.64, P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IL-5 and CD34(+) cells can be regarded as indicators to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The EOS, CD34(+) cells and the level of IL-5 in the peripheral blood are correlated with the pathogenesis of AR, suggesting that there is a related path between the local nasal tissue of AR patients and the marrow.

[Treatment of allergic rhinitis rats by intranasal interferon gamma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanism of intranasal interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Ovalbumin (OVA) absorbed to aluminum hydroxide was used to construct the allergic rhinitis model (group C), and the normal control group (group A), the allergic rhinitis model group (group B) and beclomethasone dipropionate group (group D) consisted of 8 rats for each. PBS 50 microl was absorbed to group B, IFN-gamma 1 microg was absorbed to group C and beclomethasone dipropionate 3.5 microg was absorbed to group D on day 31 to day 38 once daily once nasal cavity. The nasal lavage fluid was collected on day 39, and the cellular constituents, levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IgE were determined, together with the pathologic changes and expression of GATA-3 were observed. RESULTS: Decrease of eosinophils [(0.005 +/- 0.003) x 10(4)/ml, x +/- s] was seen in nasal lavage fluid of group C as comparing with group B [(0.225 +/- 0.060) x 10(4)/ml, (P < 0.01)], and the levels of IL-4 (7.8 +/- 3.5) pg/ml and IL-5 (12.5 +/- 4.3) pg/ml decreased significantly in comparing with group B (P < 0.01). The serum levels of total IgE (38.5 +/- 9.6) microg/ml and ovalbumin-specific IgE (19.8 +/- 5.4) IU/ml decreased significantly in comparing with those of group B (P < 0.01). In group B, mucosal congestion and edema thickening with inflammatory cells infiltration mainly of eosinophils; in group C, the above mentioned changes were much more ameliorated. Immunohistochemistry showed significant increase of GATA-3 expression in the nasal tissue of group B but much lesser than that in group C. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-gamma can inhibit the composition of IL-4 and IL-5, and inhibit the airway inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration and the serum levels of total IgE and ovalbumin specific IgE, probably through the mechanism of restraining the Th2 reaction by blockade of GATA-3 expression in the nasal tissue.

[Expression of glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) alpha and beta in nasal polyps, and analyze the possible relationship between over-expression of GR beta and steroid insensitivity. METHODS: The expression of GR alpha and GR beta was examined by immunohistochemical SP method in the specimens from 17 patients with recurring nasal polyp, 18 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp (CRSwNP), and 12 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) that did not recur during follow-up for 1.5 - 2 years. RESULTS: The difference of numbers of GR alpha-positive cells (x +/- s) between groups with recurrent nasal polyp (20.2 +/- 6.9), CRSwNP (20.7 +/-7.2) , CRSsNP (16.9 +/- 7.2) and normal subjects (16.1 +/- 5.3) was not significant (P > 0.05). The numbers of GR beta-positive cells in recurring group (34.2 +/- 7.4) or CRSwNP (31.5 +/- 5.9) were higher than that in CRSsNP (19.8 +/- 7.8) and normal group (10.1 +/- 6.7) respectively (all P < 0.05). There was a trend toward higher level in recurring polyp compared with that of CRSwNP patients without recurrence in follow-up period, although this was not statistically different (P = 0.558). The difference of GR beta/GR alpha ratios (x +/- s) in recurring specimens (1.80 +/- 0.47) and CRSwNP group (1.65 +/- 0.49) was significant compared with normal group (0.77 +/- 0.66) respectively (P < 0.05), while there was no significance compared with CRSsNP (1.23 +/- 0.27, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high expression of GR beta in nasal polyp is related to the development of nasal polyp.

[Relationship between Staphylococcal superantigens and the dominant expression of T-cell receptor V beta gene in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between superantigens produced by Staphylococcus aureus and the mRNA expression of T-cell receptor V beta region (TCR Vbeta), and to investigate the possible role of Staphylococcal superantigens in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. METHODS: Sinonasal mucus and polyp/mucosa tissue were obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (22 patients with bilateral nasal polyps, 15 without nasal polyps) and 12 normal subjects as comparative negative controls. Mucus specimens were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Staphylococcal exotoxins,and analyzed for the expression of TCR Vbeta genes using the technique of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The percentages of Staphylococcus exotoxins in nasal polyps were 54.54% (21/22) for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) subjects. There were no positive results in the CRSsNP or control groups. The expressional intensity of Vbeta3 (10.02), Vbeta14 (3.54), Vbeta15 (2.39), Vbeta17 (3.48), and Vbeta20 (2.94) was increased significantly for Staphylococcal exotoxin B (SEB) positive subjects (P < 0.05). Vbeta2 (13.8) and Vbeta6. 1-3 (6.53) were significantly highly expressed for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSTf-1) positive subjects in CRSwNP group (P < 0.05). There were no dominantly used Vbeta fragments in ELISA- negative specimens. In the group of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp (CRSsNP), most of TCR Vbeta gene subfamilies demonstrated a trend toward higher expressional levels compared with those of normal controls, although there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was relationship between Staphylococcal superantigens and the excursion of TCR Vbeta gene spectra in nasal polyp, and superantigens possibly play an important role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

[Role of expression inducible nitric oxide synthase-mRNA of leukocyte and nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between expression of leukocyte inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-mRNA and allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: Thirty-five patients with AR and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. Expression of iNOS-mRNA in peripheral blood leukocyte was detected by in situ hybridization. NO in plasm was measured by nitrate reductase. Expression of iNOS-mRNA in nasal mucosal was detected in 8 patients with AR and 6 healthy controls. RESULT: No expression of leukocyte iNOS-mRNA in healthy controls was found. In AR patients, the positive cells were significantly increased, the positive rate reached 40.82%. Expression of iNOS-mRNA was localized at the epithelium, gland and macrophage in healthy controls. Hyperplasia and expression of iNOS-mRNA increased at epithelium, gland and macrophage in the AR patients(t = 23.17, P < 0.001). The level of plasm NO in AR group was higher than that in healthy control group (t = 27.89, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between expression of leukocyte iNOS-mRNA and the level of plasm NO in AR patients. The study provides an easy method of in situ hybridization for detecting some signal in body.