Comprehensive genome-wide analysis of wheat xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) genes: unveiling their role in Fusarium head blight resistance and plant immune mechanisms.

In this comprehensive genome-wide study, we identified and classified 83 Xylanase Inhibitor Protein (XIP) genes in wheat, grouped into five distinct categories, to enhance understanding of wheat's resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), a significant fungal threat to global wheat production. Our analysis reveals the unique distribution of XIP genes across wheat chromosomes, particularly at terminal regions, suggesting their role in the evolutionary expansion of the gene family. Several XIP genes lack signal peptides, indicating potential alternative secretion pathways that could be pivotal in plant defense against FHB. The study also uncovers the sequence homology between XIPs and chitinases, hinting at a functional diversification within the XIP gene family. Additionally, the research explores the association of XIP genes with plant immune mechanisms, particularly their linkage with plant hormone signaling pathways like abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. XIP-7A3, in particular, demonstrates a significant increase in expression upon FHB infection, highlighting its potential as a key candidate gene for enhancing wheat's resistance to this disease. This research not only enriches our understanding of the XIP gene family in wheat but also provides a foundation for future investigations into their role in developing FHB-resistant wheat cultivars. The findings offer significant implications for wheat genomics and breeding, contributing to the development of more resilient crops against fungal diseases.

Real time monitoring peripheral nerve function with ICG and BDA-ICG by NIR-II fluorescence imaging.

Neuroanatomical tract tracers are important for studying axoplasmic transport and the complex interconnections of the nervous system. Though traditional fluorescent tracers are widely used, they have several prominent drawbacks when imaging, including low resolutions and low tissue penetrations and inability to be supervised dynamically within a long peripheral nerve during the long term. Here, we explored the potential of ICG as a neural tracer for axoplasmic transport and for the first time demonstrated that ICG could be used to detect transport function within peripheral nerve by near-infrared region II (NIR-II) imaging. On basis of this finding, a novel bi-directional neural tracer biotinylated dextran amine-indocyanine green (BDA-ICG) was prepared and characterized with better long-term stability and higher nerve-to-background ratio than ICG in vivo, and successfully imaged the injured peripheral nerve from the healthy one within 24 h. Our results show that BDA-ICG are promising neural tracers and clinically available dyes with NIR-II emission tail characteristics as ICG.

In situ N-doping engineered biochar catalysts for oxidation degradation of sulfadiazine via nonradical pathways: Singlet oxygen and electron transfer.

Understanding the structure of non-metallic heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts and the subsequent degradation of new pollutants is crucial for designing more efficient carbon catalysts. Environmentally friendly in situ N-doped biochar catalysts were prepared for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and sulfadiazine (SDZ) degradation. The acid washing process and calcination temperature of catalyst increased π-π* shake up, graphitic N percentage, specific surface area and defects, promoting the transformation of pollutant degradation mechanism from radical pathway to non-radical pathway. 100 % of the SDZ with the initial concentration of 10 mg/L was quickly degraded within 60 min using 0.2 g/L catalysts and 0.5 mM PMS. Excellent catalytic performance was attributed to singlet oxygen and electron transfer-dominated non-radical pathways. The four potential degradation pathways of SDZ were proposed, and toxicity predication indicated that overall biotoxicity of the intermediates during SDZ degradation was decreased. This research deepens our understanding of the mechanisms of non-radical pathways and guides the synthesis of carbon-based catalysts.

Landscape of immune cells in systematic lupus erythematosus patients with Epstein-Barr virus infection: assessed by single-cell sequencing.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the immune cell and B cell receptor (BCR) profiles of patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with or without Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and identify the differences between them. METHODS: We included two patients with SLE and positive detection of EBV infections (SLE-EBV+), four with SLE with negative detection of EBV infections (SLE-EBV-), and two healthy controls (HC). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to investigate the heterogeneity of cell populations by combining the transcriptomic profiles and BCR repertoires. RESULTS: A total of 83 478 cells were obtained and divided into 31 subtypes. The proportion of CD8+ proliferation T cells were higher in the SLE-EBV+ group than in the SLE-EBV- group. The interferon-alpha/beta pathways were upregulated in most T cells, monocytes, and B-cells in the SLE-EBV+ group, compared with the SLE-EBV- group. Moreover, T cell trajectory indicated CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) may play crucial roles in SLE combined with EBV infection. In the BCR heavy chain, the IGHV3 and IGHV4 gene families were frequently present in all groups. Additionally, Immunoglobin (Ig) M was the largest component of five Ig isotypes, but its proportion was significantly decreased in the SLE-EBV+ group. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the immune cell profiles and BCR repertoires of patients with SLE, both with or without concurrent EBV infections, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the immune response to EBV infection in patients with SLE.

The pterostilbene-dihydropyrazole derivative Ptd-1 ameliorates vascular calcification by regulating inflammation.

Vascular calcification is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, there is still a lack of adequate treatment. This study aimed to examine the potential of (E)-1-(5-(2-(4-fluorobenzyloxy)Styryl)-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-yl) ethyl ketone (Ptd-1) to alleviate vascular calcification. ApoE-deficient mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12/16 weeks to induce intimal calcification, and wild-type mice were induced with a combination of nicotine and vitamin D3 to induce medial calcification. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and aortic osteogenic differentiation were induced in vitro with phosphate. In the mouse model of atherosclerosis, Ptd-1 significantly ameliorated the progression of atherosclerosis and intimal calcification, and there were significant reductions in lipid deposition and calcium salt deposition in the aorta and aortic root. In addition, Ptd-1 significantly improved medial calcification in vivo and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, Ptd-1 reduced the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1ß, TNFα and IL-6 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ptd-1 could attenuate the expression of p-ERK1/2 and ß-catenin, and that the levels of inflammatory factors were elevated in the presence of ERK1/2 and ß-catenin agonists. Interestingly, we determined that activation of the ERK1/2 pathway promoted ß-catenin expression, which further regulated the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Ptd-1 blocked ERK1/2 signaling, leading to decreased expression of inflammatory factors, which in turn improved vascular calcification. Taken together, our study reveals that Ptd-1 ameliorates vascular calcification by regulating the production of inflammatory factors, providing new ideas for the treatment of vascular calcification.

Radiomics-based ultrasound models for thyroid nodule differentiation in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Background: Previous models for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules(TN) have predominantly focused on the characteristics of the nodules themselves, without considering the specific features of the thyroid gland(TG) in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT). In this study, we analyzed the clinical and ultrasound radiomics(USR) features of TN in patients with HT and constructed a model for differentiating benign and malignant nodules specifically in this population. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical and ultrasound data from 227 patients with TN and concomitant HT(161 for training, 66 for testing). Two experienced sonographers delineated the TG and TN regions, and USR features were extracted using Python. Lasso regression and logistic analysis were employed to select relevant USR features and clinical data to construct the model for differentiating benign and malignant TN. The performance of the model was evaluated using area under the curve(AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis(DCA). Results: A total of 1,162 USR features were extracted from TN and the TG in the 227 patients with HT. Lasso regression identified 14 features, which were used to construct the TN score, TG score, and TN+TG score. Univariate analysis identified six clinical predictors: TI-RADS, echoic type, aspect ratio, boundary, calcification, and thyroid function. Multivariable analysis revealed that incorporating USR scores improved the performance of the model for differentiating benign and malignant TN in patients with HT. Specifically, the TN+TG score resulted in the highest increase in AUC(from 0.83 to 0.94) in the clinical prediction model. Calibration curves and DCA demonstrated higher accuracy and net benefit for the TN+TG+clinical model. Conclusion: USR features of both the TG and TN can be utilized for differentiating benign and malignant TN in patients with HT. These findings highlight the importance of considering the entire TG in the evaluation of TN in HT patients, providing valuable insights for clinical decision-making in this population.

Imaging-based adipose biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes of cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review.

Background: Since the application of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), the clinical outcome for metastatic cancer has been greatly improved. Nevertheless, treatment response varies in patients, making it urgent to identify patients who will receive clinical benefits after ICI therapy. Adipose body composition has proved to be associated with tumor response. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize the current evidence on imaging adipose biomarkers that predict clinical outcomes in patients treated with ICI in various cancer types. Methods: Embase and PubMed were searched from database inception to 1st February 2023. Articles included investigated the association between imaging-based adipose biomarkers and the clinical outcomes of patients treated with ICI. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated through Newcastle- Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Radiomics Quality Score tools. Results: Totally, 22 studies including 2256 patients were selected. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had the most articles (6 studies), followed by melanoma (5 studies), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (3 studies), urothelial carcinoma (UC) (2 studies), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (1 study), gastric cancer (1 study) and liver cancer (1 study). The remaining 3 studies investigated metastatic solid tumors including various types of cancers. Adipose biomarkers can be summarized into 5 categories, including total fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, intramuscular fat and others, which exerted diverse correlations with patients' prognosis after being treated with ICI in different cancers. Most biomarkers of body fat were positively associated with survival benefits. Nevertheless, more total fat was predictable of worse outcomes in NSCLC, while inter-muscular fat was associated with poor clinical benefits in UC. Conclusion: There is relatively well-supported evidence for imaging-based adipose biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome of ICI. In general, most of the studies show that adipose tissue is positively correlated with clinical outcomes. This review summarizes the significant biomarkers proven by researches for each cancer type. Further validation and large independent prospective cohorts are needed in the future. The protocol of this systematic review has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, registration no: CRD42023401986).

Novel pterostilbene derivatives ameliorate heart failure by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through regulating Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Pterostilbene is a demethylated resveratrol derivative with attractive anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidative stress activities. However, the clinical use of pterostilbene is limited by its poor selectivity and druggability. Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, which is closely related to enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. There is an urgent need for new effective therapeutic drugs that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a series of novel pterostilbene chalcone and dihydropyrazole derivatives with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by the molecular hybridization strategy. The preliminary anti-inflammatory activities and structure-activity relationships of these compounds were evaluated by nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells, and compound E1 exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, pretreatment with compound E1 decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation both in RAW264.7 and H9C2 cells by increasing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as downstream antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1). In addition, compound E1 also significantly inhibited LPS or doxorubicin (DOX)-induced inflammation in both RAW264.7 and H9C2 cells through reducing the expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that compound E1 improved DOX-induced heart failure by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in mouse model, which is mediated by the potential of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the novel pterostilbene dihydropyrazole derivative E1 was identified as a promising agent for heart failure treatment.

Design, synthesis, and SAR study of novel flavone 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with anti-inflammatory activities for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Inflammation is one of a major feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) which poses a threat to people's health in the world. It has been reported that antioxidation and anti-inflammation have significant effects on the treatment of PD. 1,2,4-oxadiazole and flavone derivatives have remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In order to find highly effective drugs for PD treatment, based on the remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole pharmacophore and the flavonoid pharmacophore, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 3-methyl-8-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives by pharmacophore combination, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory and antioxidation activities for PD treatment. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted by their inhibitory activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO release in LPS-induced BV2 Microglia cells, and the optimal compound Flo8 exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Both in vivo and in vitro results showed that Flo8 inhibited neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways. In vivo studies also showed that the compound Flo8 ameliorated motor and behavioral deficits and increased serum dopamine levels in MPTP-induced PD model mice. Taken together, this study demonstrated the compound Flo8 could be a promising agent for the treatment of PD.

Integrated Network Pharmacology and Proteomic Analyses of Targets and Mechanisms of Jianpi Tianjing Decoction in Treating Vascular Dementia.

Background: Vascular dementia (VD), associated with cerebrovascular injury, is characterized by severe cognitive impairment. Jianpi Tianjing Decoction (JTD) has been widely used to treat VD. However, its molecular targets and mechanisms of action in this treatment remain unclear. This study integrated network pharmacology and proteomics to identify targets and mechanisms of JTD in the treatment of VD and to provide new insights and goals for clinical treatments. Methods: Systematic network pharmacology was used to identify active chemical compositions, potential targets, and mechanisms of JTD in VD treatment. Then, a mouse model of VD was induced via transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion to verify the identified targets and mechanisms of JTD against VD using 4D label-free quantitative proteomics. Results: By screening active chemical compositions and potential targets in relevant databases, 187 active chemical compositions and 416 disease-related compound targets were identified. In vivo experiments showed that JTD improved learning and memory in mice. Proteomics also identified 112 differentially expressed proteins in the model and sham groups and the JTD and model groups. Integrating the network pharmacology and proteomics results revealed that JTD may regulate expressions of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7C, metabotropic glutamate receptor 2, Slc30a1 zinc transporter 1, and apolipoprotein A-IV in VD mice and that their mechanisms involve biological processes like oxidative phosphorylation, regulation of neuron death, glutamate secretion, cellular ion homeostasis, and lipoprotein metabolism. Conclusions: JTD may suppress VD development via multiple components, targets, and pathways. It may thus serve as a complementary treatment option for patients with VD.

Endothelial cell-derived exosomes boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of Schwann cells via miR199-5p to promote nerve regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Schwann cells (SCs) respond to nerve injury by transforming into the repair-related cell phenotype, which can provide the essential signals and spatial cues to promote axonal regeneration and induce target reinnervation. Endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to intraneural angiogenesis contributing to creating a permissive microenvironment. The coordination between ECs and SCs within injury sites is crucial in the regeneration process, however, it still unclear. As the intercellular vital information mediators in the nervous system, exosomes have been proposed to take a significant role in regulating regeneration. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to determine the facilitative effect of ECs-derived exosomes on SCs and to seek the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: In the present study, we collected exosomes from media of ECs. We demonstrated that exosomes derived from ECs possessed the favorable neuronal affinity both in vitro and in vivo. Further research indicated that EC-exosomes (EC-EXO) could boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of SCs, thereby enhancing axonal regeneration, myelination of regenerated axons and neurologically functional recovery of the injured nerve. MiRNA sequencing in EXO-treated SCs and control SCs indicated that EC-EXO significantly up-regulated expression of miR199-5p. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that EC-EXO drove the conversion of SC phenotypes in a PI3K/AKT/PTEN-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our research indicates that the internalization of EC-EXO in SCs can promote nerve regeneration by boosting and maintaining the repair-related phenotypes of SCs. And the mechanism may be relevant to the up-regulated expression of miR199-5p and activation of PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway.

Morphological characteristics of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and good long-term visual outcomes after anti-VEGF therapy.

PURPOSE: To analyse the morphological characteristics of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with good long-term visual acuity after anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study of 175 patients with neovascular AMD with >5 years of follow-up after initiating anti-VEGF therapy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were assessed for thickness of pigment epithelial detachment (PED), subretinal hyper-reflective material (SHRM), subretinal fluid and subfoveal choroidal, as well as the integrity of the outer retinal bands. RESULTS: The final analysis cohort included 203 eyes (175 patients) followed for a mean of 7.84±1.70 years (range: 5-11). The maximum PED thickness in the foveal central subfield (FCS) was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the poor vision group (13.11 µm) compared with the intermediate (86.25 µm) or good (97.92 µm) vision groups, respectively. In contrast, the maximum thickness of SHRM in the FCS was significantly thicker (p<0.001) in eyes with poor vision (149.46 µm) compared with eyes with intermediate vision (64.37 µm) which in turn were significantly thicker (p<0.001) than eyes with good vision (9.35 µm). The good vision group also had better continuity of all outer retinal bands (external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and retinal pigment epithelium) compared with the other two groups (all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A thicker PED and thinner SHRM were correlated with better vision in eyes with neovascular AMD following long-term anti-VEGF therapy. If replicated in future prospective studies, these findings may have implications for design of optimal anatomic endpoints for neovascular AMD treatment.

The Impact of Community Shuttle Services on Traffic and Traffic-Related Air Pollution.

Community shuttle services have the potential to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce traffic pollution caused by massive short-distance taxi-hailing trips. However, few studies have evaluated and quantified the impact of community shuttle services on urban traffic and traffic-related air pollution. In this paper, we propose a complete framework to quantitatively assess the positive impacts of community shuttle services, including route design, traffic congestion alleviation, and air pollution reduction. During the design of community shuttle services, we developed a novel method to adaptively generate shuttle stops with maximum service capacity based on residents' origin-destination (OD) data, and designed shuttle routes with minimum mileage by genetic algorithm. For traffic congestion alleviation, we identified trips that can be shifted to shuttle services and their potential changes in traffic flow. The decrease in traffic flow can alleviate traffic congestion and indirectly reduce unnecessary pollutant emissions. In terms of environmental protection, we utilized the COPERT III model and the spatial kernel density estimation method to finely analyze the reduction in traffic emissions by eco-friendly transportation modes to support detailed policymaking regarding transportation environmental issues. Taking Chengdu, China as the study area, the results indicate that: (1) the adaptively generated shuttle stops are more responsive to the travel demands of crowds compared with the existing bus stops; (2) shuttle services can replace 30.36% of private trips and provide convenience for 50.2% of commuters; (3) such eco-friendly transportation can reduce traffic emissions by 28.01% overall, and approximately 42% within residential areas.

Discovery of novel dihydropyrazole-stilbene derivatives for ameliorating heart failure through modulation of p38/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Heart failure is one of the diseases with the highest mortality in the world, and inflammation is the main cause for its occurrence and development. The stilbene skeleton of resveratrol has been shown to have excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In order to continue our research on dihydropyrazole derivatives, a series of novel (E)-4-methyl-2-(3-phenyl-5-(4-styrylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized according to the principle of molecular hybridization for evaluation their anti-inflammatory and antioxidation activities. We screened their anti-inflammatory abilities in RAW264.7 cells and analyzed the preliminary structure-activity relationship, and explored the related molecular mechanisms. We further used doxorubicin (DOX)-induced heart failure model to explore the protective role of our compound in vivo. Our results showed that compound F5 exhibited the most potent activity and was superior to the positive control. It reversed the expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, compound F5 also inhibited DOX-induced inflammation and reactive oxygen species by modulating the p38/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in H9C2 cells. In vivo results showed that compound F5 ameliorated DOX-caused damage, such as reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, severe inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress in heart. In conclusion, compound F5 could be used as a promising agent for the treatment of heart failure through attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation.

FOXO4 mediates resistance to oxidative stress in lens epithelial cells by modulating the TRIM25/Nrf2 signaling.

Oxidative stress damage to the lens is a key factor in most cataracts. Forkhead box O 4 (FOXO4), a member of the forkhead box O family, plays a pivotal role in oxidative stress. FOXO4 is upregulated in lens of age-related cataract patients, but its role in cataract has not been elucidated. Herein, we investigated the role and mechanism of FOXO4 during oxidative stress damage in lens epithelial cells. H2O2 treatment enhanced FOXO4 expression in HLEpiC cells. Short hairpin RNAs mediated FOXO4 silence aggravated H2O2-induced cell apoptosis. In addition, upon H2O2 exposure, silencing of FOXO4 reduced SOD and CAT activities, as well as increased intracellular MDA and ROS levels. FOXO4 silencing also inhibited Nrf2 nuclear translocation, followed by reducing the expressions of Nrf2-governed antioxidant genes HO-1 and NOQ-1. Exogenous overexpression of FOXO4 was also involved in this study and exhibited opposite effects of FOXO4-silencing. Mechanistically, FOXO4 directly bound the promoter of TRIM25 and regulated its transcription, thereby activating the Nrf2 signaling. Taken together, in the condition of oxidative stress, the expression of FOXO4 showed a compensatory upregulation and it exhibited an anti-oxidative effect by modulating the transcription of TRIM25, thus activating the Nrf2 signaling. The FOXO4/TRIM25/Nrf2 axis may be associated with the pathological mechanisms of cataract.

Effect of Tube Diameters and Functional Groups on Adsorption and Suspension Behaviors of Carbon Nanotubes in Presence of Humic Acid.

The adsorption and suspension behaviors of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the water environment determine the geochemical cycle and ecological risk of CNTs and the compounds attached to them. In this study, CNTs were selected as the research object, and the effect of tube diameters and functional groups (multiwall CNTs (MWNTs) and hydroxylated MWNTs (HMWNTs)) on the adsorption and suspension behaviors of the CNTs in the presence of humic acid (HA) was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that HA adsorption decreased with the increase in the solution pH, and the adsorption amount and rate were negatively correlated with the tube diameter of the CNTs. The surface hydroxylation of the CNTs prevented the adsorption of HA, and the maximum adsorption amounts on the MWNTs and HMWNTs were 195.95 and 74.74 mg g-1, respectively. HA had an important effect on the suspension of the CNTs, especially for the surface hydroxylation, and the suspension of the CNTs increased with the increase in the tube diameter. The characteristics of the CNTs prior to and after adsorbing HA were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that surface hydroxylation of the CNTs increased the adsorption of aromatic compounds, and that the CNTs with a smaller diameter and a larger specific surface area had a disordered carbon accumulation microstructure and many defects, where the adsorption of part of the HA would cover the defects on the CNTs' surface. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that HA was more easily adsorbed on the CNTs without surface hydroxylation. This investigation is helpful in providing a theoretical basis for the scientific management of the production and application of CNTs, and the scientific assessment of their geochemical cycle and ecological risk.

Discovery of Novel Pterostilbene Derivatives That Might Treat Sepsis by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation through Modulation of MAPKs/NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Sepsis remains one of the most common life-threatening illnesses that is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and usually arises following severe trauma and various septic infections. It is still in urgent need of new effective therapeutic agents, and chances are great that some candidates can be identified that can attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Pterostilbene, which exerts attractive anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, is a homologue of natural polyphenolic derivative of resveratrol. Starting from it, we have made several rounds of rational optimizations. Firstly, based on the strategy of pharmacophore combination, indanone moiety was introduced onto the pterostilbene skeleton to generate a novel series of pterostilbene derivatives (PIF_1-PIF_16) which could possess both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities for sepsis treatment. Then, all target compounds were subjected to their structure-activity relationships (SAR) screening of anti-inflammatory activity in mouse mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7 cell line, and their cytotoxicities were determined after. Finally, an optimal compound, PIF_9, was identified. It decreased the mRNA levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). We also found that the anti-inflammatory effects might be contributed by its suppression on the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and MAPKs signaling pathway. Moreover, PIF_9 also demonstrated potent anti-oxidative activity in RAW264.7 macrophages and the sepsis mouse model. Not surprisingly, with the benefits mentioned above, it ameliorated LPS-induced sepsis in C57BL/6J mice and reduced multi-organ toxicity. Taken together, PIF_9 was identified as a potential sepsis solution, targeting inflammation and oxidative stress through modulating MAPKs/NF-κB.

Design, synthesis, and SAR study of novel 4,5-dihydropyrazole-Thiazole derivatives with anti-inflammatory activities for the treatment of sepsis.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is a major feature of sepsis which is one of the major causes of death worldwide. It has been reported that 3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydropyrazole and thiazole derivatives have many biological functions, especially in the aspect of anti-inflammation. According to the strategy of pharmacophore combination, we introduced thiazole moiety into dihydropyrazole skeleton to design and synthesize a novel series of 2-(3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-methylthiazole derivatives, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities for sepsis treatment. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted by their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) release in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and the optimal compound E26 exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the positive control treatment indomethacin and dexamethasone. In further mechanism study, our results showed that compound E26 significantly suppressed the production of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), NO and inhibited the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) through blocking MAPKs signaling pathway. In addition, in vivo administration of compound E26 resulted in a significant improvement of LPS-induced sepsis in C57BL/6J mice, with reducing toxicity in multiple organs. Taken together, this study demonstrated the compound E26 could be a promising agent for the treatment of sepsis.

Impact of montmorillonite clay on the homo- and heteroaggregation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) in synthetic and natural waters.

The homoaggregation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) and their heteroaggregation with ubiquitous natural clay colloids are crucial processes affecting the environmental transport and fate of nTiO2, whereas the latter has received less attention. In this study, the effects of pH, electrolytes, natural organic matter (NOM), and montmorillonite on the homo- and heteroaggregation of nTiO2 were systematically investigated. The isoelectric point of bare nTiO2 was 6.98, whereas TiO2-montmorillonite mixtures remained negative charged due to the reduced particle surface potential by heteroaggregation. Homoaggregation of nTiO2 was mainly affected by anions, whereas heteroaggregation in TiO2-montmorillonite mixtures was mainly affected by cations. Heteroaggregation between nTiO2 and montmorillonite involved the adsorption of CC/CH. Intensive aggregation of nTiO2 was observed with 4 mg/L montmorillonite, whereas with 20 mg/L montmorillonite, the aggregation was significantly inhibited by the over-coverage of montmorillonite. NOM was attached to the surface of nTiO2 with the adsorption of functional groups involving CC/CH and OCO. The addition of NOM effectively reduced the homo- and heteroaggregation of nTiO2, and the stabilizing effect was enhanced with the increased molecular weight and aromatic/aliphatic fraction in NOM. Besides electrostatic repulsion, steric repulsion could also be one of the main stabilization mechanisms of NOM. With Ca2+ in the solutions, the stabilizing effect of NOM was significantly weakened through cation bridging. The addition of montmorillonite could facilitate the aggregation of nTiO2 in the presence of NOM. The homo- and heteroaggregation of nTiO2 were also observed in 7 different types of natural waters. Homoaggregation predominated in waters with high ionic strength and low NOM contents (seawater and groundwater), whereas heteroaggregation predominated in surface freshwater and wastewater systems. The results reflect the instability of nTiO2 in natural aquatic environments and the potential risk they pose to benthic organisms.