Topology Effect on Order-Disorder Transition of High-χ Block Copolymers.

This work aims to systematically examine the topology effect on the self-assembly of block copolymers. Compositionally, symmetric polystyrene--polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers (BCPs) with different chain topologies (diblock, three-arm star-block, and four-arm star-block) and various molecular weights are synthesized. These purposely designed block copolymers are used as a model system to investigate the topology effect on order-to-disorder transition temperature ( ) by temperature-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering experiments.

MAGE-A4-Responsive Plasma Cells Promote Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Adaptive immunity is critical to eliminate malignant cells, while multiple tumor-intrinsic factors can alter this protective function. Melanoma antigen-A4 (MAGE-A4), a cancer-testis antigen, is expressed in several solid tumors and correlates with poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its role in altering antitumor immunity remains unclear. We found that expression of MAGE-A4 was highly associated with the loss of , a tumor suppressor, in human NSCLC.

Frank-Kasper-like network phase from self-assembly of high-χ star-block copolymers.

By taking advantage of the effects of solvent selectivity and topology on high-χ block copolymer (BCP) for self-assembly, network phases with high packing frustration can be formed in self-assembled polystyrene--polydimethylsiloxane (PS--PDMS). Apart from gyroid with trigonal structure and diamond with tetrahedral structure, a peculiar network phase with space group of [Formula: see text] (Frank-Kasper structure) can be found in six-arm star-block PS--PDMS as evidenced by small-angle x-ray scattering. Electron tomography results reveal the network phase with alternating connection of three and four struts.

Hesperetin activates CISD2 to attenuate senescence in human keratinocytes from an older person and rejuvenates naturally aged skin in mice.

Background: CDGSH iron-sulfur domain-containing protein 2 (CISD2), a pro-longevity gene, mediates healthspan in mammals. CISD2 is down-regulated during aging. Furthermore, a persistently high level of CISD2 promotes longevity and ameliorates an age-related skin phenotype in transgenic mice.

Corrigendum: Alveolar macrophages in lung cancer: opportunities and challenges.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.

Alveolar macrophages in lung cancer: opportunities challenges.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical components of the innate defense mechanism in the lung. Nestled tightly within the alveoli, AMs, derived from the yolk-sac or bone marrow, can phagocytose foreign particles, defend the host against pathogens, recycle surfactant, and promptly respond to inhaled noxious stimuli. The behavior of AMs is tightly dependent on the environmental cues whereby infection, chronic inflammation, and associated metabolic changes can repolarize their effector functions in the lungs.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency Patient Fecal Microbiota Transplant Recapitulates Gut Dysbiosis.

Purpose: Patients with non-infectious complications have worse clinical outcomes in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) than those with infections-only. Non-infectious complications are associated with gut microbiome aberrations, but there are no reductionist animal models that emulate CVID. Our aim in this study was to uncover potential microbiome roles in the development of non-infectious complications in CVID.

Chronic exposure to carbon black ultrafine particles reprograms macrophage metabolism and accelerates lung cancer.

Chronic exposure to airborne carbon black ultrafine (nCB) particles generated from incomplete combustion of organic matter drives IL-17A-dependent emphysema. However, whether and how they alter the immune responses to lung cancer remains unknown. Here, we show that exposure to nCB particles increased PD-L1 PD-L2 CD206 antigen-presenting cells (APCs), exhausted T cells, and T cells.

Vacuum-Driven Orientation of Nanostructured Diblock Copolymer Thin Films.

This work aims to demonstrate a facile method for the controlled orientation of nanostructures of block copolymer (BCP) thin films. A simple diblock copolymer system, polystyrene--polydimethylsiloxane (PS--PDMS), is chosen to demonstrate vacuum-driven orientation for solving the notorious low-surface-energy problem of silicon-based BCP nanopatterning. By taking advantage of the pressure dependence of the surface tension of polymeric materials, a neutral air surface for the PS--PDMS thin film can be formed under a high vacuum degree (∼10 Pa), allowing the formation of the film-spanning perpendicular cylinders and lamellae upon thermal annealing.

Candida albicans elicits protective allergic responses via platelet mediated T helper 2 and T helper 17 cell polarization.

Fungal airway infection (airway mycosis) is an important cause of allergic airway diseases such as asthma, but the mechanisms by which fungi trigger asthmatic reactions are poorly understood. Here, we leverage wild-type and mutant Candida albicans to determine how this common fungus elicits characteristic Th2 and Th17 cell-dependent allergic airway disease in mice. We demonstrate that rather than proteinases that are essential virulence factors for molds, C.

Nanonetwork Thermosets from Templated Polymerization for Enhanced Energy Dissipation.

Herein, we aim to develop a facile method for the fabrication of mechanical metamaterials from templated polymerization of thermosets including phenolic and epoxy resins using self-assembled block copolymer, polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane with tripod network (gyroid), and tetrapod network (diamond) structures, as templates. Nanoindentation studies on the nanonetwork thermosets fabricated reveal enhanced energy dissipation from intrinsic brittle thermosets due to the deliberate structuring; the calculated energy dissipation for gyroid phenolic resins is 0.23 nJ whereas the one with diamond structure gives a value of 0.

Mesoscale networks and corresponding transitions from self-assembly of block copolymers.

A series of cubic network phases was obtained from the self-assembly of a single-composition lamellae (L)-forming block copolymer (BCP) polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS--PDMS) through solution casting using a PS-selective solvent. An unusual network phase in diblock copolymers, double-primitive phase (DP) with space group of [Formula: see text], can be observed. With the reduction of solvent evaporation rate for solution casting, a double-diamond phase (DD) with space group of [Formula: see text] can be formed.

Self-Assembly of Low-Molecular-Weight Asymmetric Linear Triblock Terpolymers: How Low Can We Go?

The synthesis of two (2) novel triblock terpolymers of the ABC type and one (1) of the BAC type, where A, B and C are chemically different segments, such as polystyrene (PS), poly(butadiene) (PB) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), is reported; moreover, their corresponding molecular and bulk characterizations were performed. Very low dimensions are evident from the characterization in bulk from transmission electron microscopy studies, verified by small-angle X-ray data, since sub-16 nm domains are evident in all three cases. The self-assembly results justify the assumptions that the high Flory-Huggins parameter, , even in low molecular weights, leads to significantly well-ordered structures, despite the complexity of the systems studied.

A global Slc7a7 knockout mouse model demonstrates characteristic phenotypes of human lysinuric protein intolerance.

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an inborn error of cationic amino acid (arginine, lysine, ornithine) transport caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in SLC7A7, which encodes the light subunit of the y+LAT1 transporter. Treatments for the complications of LPI, including growth failure, renal disease, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, autoimmune disorders and osteoporosis, are limited. Given the early lethality of the only published global Slc7a7 knockout mouse model, a viable animal model to investigate global SLC7A7 deficiency is needed.

Lung Cancer Heterogeneity in Modulation of Th17/IL17A Responses.

The interplay between tumors and their immune microenvironment is critical for cancer development and progression. The discovery of tumor heterogeneity has provided a window into a complex interplay between tumors, their secreted products, and host immune responses at the cellular and molecular levels. Tumor heterogeneity can also act as a driving force in promoting treatment resistance and correlates with distinct tumor-mediated acquired immune responses.

Electronic cigarettes disrupt lung lipid homeostasis and innate immunity independent of nicotine.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes have emerged as a popular recreational tool among adolescents and adults. Although the use of ENDS is often promoted as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, few comprehensive studies have assessed the long-term effects of vaporized nicotine and its associated solvents, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Here, we show that compared with smoke exposure, mice receiving ENDS vapor for 4 months failed to develop pulmonary inflammation or emphysema.

Cigarette smoke-induced reduction of C1q promotes emphysema.

Alteration of innate immune cells in the lungs can promote loss of peripheral tolerance that leads to autoimmune responses in cigarette smokers. Development of autoimmunity in smokers with emphysema is also strongly linked to the expansion of autoreactive T helper (Th) cells expressing interferon gamma (Th1), and interleukin 17A (Th17). However, the mechanisms responsible for enhanced self-recognition and reduced immune tolerance in smoker with emphysema remain less clear.

Telomere shortening triggers a feedback loop to enhance end protection.

Telomere homeostasis is controlled by both telomerase machinery and end protection. Telomere shortening induces DNA damage sensing kinases ATM/ATR for telomerase recruitment. Yet, whether telomere shortening also governs end protection is poorly understood.

Epidermoid cyst of the testis: An atypical sonographic appearance.

Epidermoid cysts are rare. They represent the most common benign tumor of the testis. The sonographic appearances of testicular epidermoid cysts usually include avascular, mostly lamellated, heterogeneous internal echotexture, with hypoechoic and hyperechoic concentric rings, accounting for the typical onion-ring appearance.

Functional Assessment of Residues in the Amino- and Carboxyl-Termini of Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone (CHH) in the Mud Crab Scylla olivacea Using Point-Mutated Peptides.

To assess functional importance of the residues in the amino- and carboxyl-termini of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone in the mud crab Scylla olivacea (Sco-CHH), both wild-type and point-mutated CHH peptides were produced with an amidated C-terminal end. Spectral analyses of circular dichroism, chromatographic retention time, and mass spectrometric analysis of the recombinant peptides indicate that they were close in conformation to native CHH and were produced with the intended substitutions. The recombinant peptides were subsequently used for an in vivo hyperglycemic assay.

Relationship between severity of venous calcifications and symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis.

Aim: To examine the correlation between the severity of venous calcifications and the clinical symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis.

Methods: This was a retrospective study. The data, including the numbers of episodes of active disease, were collected from the medical records at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between January 2005 and December 2014.

Management of rotator cuff calcific tendinosis guided by ultrasound elastography.

Background: Ultrasound (US) elastography can provide information about the hardness of calcification and might help decide treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hardness of the calcific area within rotator cuffs by US elastography as an aid for the selection of aspiration or fine-needle repeated puncture for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinosis.

Methods: This prospective study included 39 patients (32 males, 7 females; mean age, 52.

Objective Measurement of Arterial Flow Before and After Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: A Feasibility Study Using Quantitative Color-Coding Analysis.

Purpose: To quantitatively measure the hemodynamic change of hepatic artery before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantitative color-coding analysis (QCA).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study registered 64 consecutive HCC patients who underwent segmental or subsegmental TACE with epirubicin and lipiodol at level 2 or 3 of the subjective angiographic chemoembolization endpoint. QCA was used to determine the maximal density time (T(max)) of selected intravascular region of interest (ROI).

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided cryoablation for renal tumor: Experience in 30 cases.

Background: Percutaneous cryoablation is a minimally invasive alternative for surgical resection of a renal tumor. We report our experience with applying computed tomography-guided cryoablation in renal tumors, focusing on the technique, safety, and treatment response.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received cryoablation from October 2009 to August 2013 for renal tumor diagnosed by imaging studies performed at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.