Third-child fertility intention and its socioeconomic factors among women aged 20-34 years in China.

Background: The low birth rates and rapid population aging has drawn considerable attention from scholars and policymakers in China and around the world. In 2021, China launched the policy and supportive measures that allow up to 3 children per couple. This study aims to explore the influencing factors of the third-child fertility intention among women aged 20-34 years in China.

Fast preparation of a polydopamine/ceramic composite nanofiltration membrane with excellent permselectivity.

Fabrication of a dense polymer/ceramic composite membrane with high permeability remains a great challenge. In this study, a highly selective polydopamine (PDA)/ceramic composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane was prepared by using an AlO ceramic membrane with pore size of 0.1 μm as the support layer.

Facile Preparation of Loose P84 Copolyimide/GO Composite Membrane with Excellent Selectivity and Solvent Resistance.

In this study, multilayer graphene oxide (GO) was used to prepare the functional layer of polyimide/GO composite membrane with polyimide (P84) used as the supporting layer. Chitosan added in the functional layer was utilized to adjust the selectivity of the composite membrane. The effects of GO and chitosan contents on membrane morphology and separation performance were investigated in detail.

Socioeconomics, health-related factors, and tooth loss among the population aged over 80 years in China.

Background: The prevalence of tooth loss varies across the globe among oldest-old individuals. The presence of fewer than 20 teeth in old age was associated with a decrease in people's health and quality of life. This paper explored the association between socioeconomics, health-related factors, and tooth loss among the population over the age of 80 in China.

Growth Study of Hierarchical Pore SSZ-13 Molecular Sieves with Improved CO Adsorption Performance.

SSZ-13, with a unique pore structure and excellent thermal stability, showed a potential application in the adsorption and catalysis industry. In this work, Al(NO) was used as an Al source to study the performance and morphology of the zeolite. The zeolite was prepared with an unconventional process by adding an Al source before the structure-directing agent and base.

Lipoprotein(a), an Opsonin, Enhances the Phagocytosis of Nontypeable by Macrophages.

We recently showed that both nontypeable (NTHi) and its surface plasminogen- (Plg-) binding proteins interact with lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) in a lysine-dependent manner. Because Lp(a) can be taken up by macrophages, we postulated that it serves as an opsonin to enhance phagocytosis of NTHi by macrophages. Based on colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, Lp(a) was found to increase U937 macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of NTHi49247 and NTHi49766 by 34% and 43%, respectively, after 120 min.

Visual detection of viscosity through activatable molecular rotor with aggregation-induced emission.

Food safety has become one of the urgent affairs in the global public health studies, and irregular viscosity is closely associated with the food spoilage extent. In this study, one kind of activatable molecular rotor (TPA-PBZ) based on triphenylamine derivates has been synthesized via the Schiff base condensation reaction. This rotor is comprised by donor-accepter conjugated structure, with aggregation induced-emission feature and a large Stokes shift of 160 nm in water.

Synthesis of self-assembled hierarchical AlPO-34 microspheres by using an ionic liquid and its application in heavy metal removal.

Hierarchical AlPO-34 molecular sieves microspheres were synthesized in a [BMIm]Br ionic liquid without template or complex post-treatment process. The formation mechanism of such framework structures and their morphology were investigated. [BMIm]Br was proven to serve as both solvent and sole provider of the structure directing agent.

Optimized Preparation of Nanosized Hollow SSZ-13 Molecular Sieves with Ultrasonic Assistance.

Because of its unique eight-membered ring pore structure and the arrangement of cations in its structure, the SSZ-13 molecular sieve has a higher affinity for CO than other gases, meaning it has attracted more attention than other porous materials for CO adsorption. However, the expensive template and long preparation time limits the industrial production of SSZ-13. In this work, a hollow structure was successfully introduced into the nanosized SSZ-13 molecular sieve with ultrasonic treatment.

Changed epidemiology of anthrax and molecular characteristics of Bacillus anthracis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Anthrax is a natural foci disease in Inner Mongolia, which poses a severe threat to public health. In this study, the incidence number, rate and constituent ratio were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in the region from 1956-2018. The molecular correlation and genetic characteristics of the strains were investigated using canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (CanSNP), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-15) and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Effect of Additives on the Performance of PPBES Composite Forward Osmosis Hollow Fiber Membranes.

A polyamide composite forward osmosis (FO) hollow fiber membrane was successfully prepared with a novel copoly(phthalazinone biphenyl ether sulfone) (PPBES) polymer. Effects of different additives including ethylene glycol methyl ether (EGME) and lithium chloride anhydrous (LiCl) in the dope solution on the morphologies and properties of PPBES support membranes and composite FO hollow fiber membranes were investigated. With the increase of EGME content in the dope solution, the water flux of PPBES support membranes and FO hollow fiber membranes decreased.

Controllable Synthesis of MnO Nanowires and Application in the Treatment of Phenol at Room Temperature.

Nanosized MnO nanowires are prepared with KMnO and ethanol in mild conditions by facile hydrothermal method. Hydrothermal reaction temperature is optimized to get uniform nanowires. The prepared MnO nanowires exhibit high activity in the treatment of phenol at acid condition and room temperature.

Low-density lipoprotein as an opsonin promoting the phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by U937 cells.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was recently reported to be an opsonin, enhancing the phagocytosis of group A Streptococcus (GAS) by human monocytic leukemia U937 cells due to the binding of LDL to some GAS strains. We postulated that LDL might also promote the opsonophagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by U937 cells since this bacterium interacts with LDL. In this study, P.

LDL acts as an opsonin enhancing the phagocytosis of group A Streptococcus by monocyte and whole human blood.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) binds to group A Streptococcus (GAS) through Sc11 protein, and scavenger receptor CD36 of monocyte mediates the endocytosis of native or modified LDL. Therefore, we hypothesized that LDL might be an opsonin enhancing the phagocytosis of LDL-bound GAS by monocyte. The results showed that LDL could significantly promote U937 cell to phagocytose M28 (ATCC BAA1064) and M41 (ATCC 12373, AM41)-type GAS, and the phagocytosis rates were significantly increased, compared with LDL-free group.

High-density lipoprotein acts as an opsonin to enhance phagocytosis of group A streptococcus by U937 cells.

We have previously demonstrated that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) can specifically bind to streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) of M41-type group A Streptococcus (GAS). However, the pathological or physiological significance of Scl1-HDL interaction is unknown. Here, the hypothesis that HDL acts as an opsonin to enhance phagocytosis of HDL-bound GAS by monocytes given that some scavenger receptors can mediate the endocytosis of HDL was tested by using FITC-labeled bacteria, human U937 monocytes and HDL for phagocytic assays.

Using rifapentine - hen egg lipoprotein conjugate as macrophage-targeted drug delivery carrier against intracellular Staphylococcus aureus.

Context: Hen egg low-density lipoprotein (heLDL), which is present in large quantities in egg yolk, share a high identity with human apolipoprotein B-100 precursor.

Objective: This study investigated the use of heLDL as a macrophage-targeted drug delivery carrier against intracellular Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods: Rifapentine (RPT) was incorporated into heLDL (RPT-heLDL).

[Scl1 of M41-type group A streptococcus binds low-density lipoprotein].

Objective: To study the interaction of streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) of M41-type group A streptococcus (GAS) ATCC12373 with low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Methods: We cloned, expressed and purified the recombinant proteins rScl1 and its V region rScl1-V, designated as C176 and C176V, derived from Scl1. 41 of M41-type GAS.

The Scl1 of M41-type group A Streptococcus binds the high-density lipoprotein.

Streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) is a virulence factor on the surface of group A Streptococcus (GAS). We have reported previously that several Scl1 proteins derived from various M-type GAS strains, including M41, can bind to low-density lipoprotein, but the Scl1 protein derived from the M6-type GAS strain cannot. Here, we demonstrated that recombinant protein, designated C176, derived from Scl1.

Plasma lipoproteins are important components of the immune system.

Plasma lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, Lp[a] and HDL) function primarily in lipid transport among tissues and organs. However, cumulative evidence suggests that lipoproteins may also prevent bacterial, viral and parasitic infections and are therefore a component of innate immunity. Lipoproteins can also detoxify lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid.

Scl1, the multifunctional adhesin of group A Streptococcus, selectively binds cellular fibronectin and laminin, and mediates pathogen internalization by human cells.

The streptococcal collagen-like protein-1, Scl1, is widely expressed by the well-recognized human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS). Screening of human ligands for binding to recombinant Scl1 identified cellular fibronectin and laminin as binding partners. Both ligands interacted with the globular domain of Scl1, which is also able to bind the low-density lipoprotein.

The Scl1 protein of M6-type group A Streptococcus binds the human complement regulatory protein, factor H, and inhibits the alternative pathway of complement.

Non-specific activation of the complement system is regulated by the plasma glycoprotein factor H (FH). Bacteria can avoid complement-mediated opsonization and phagocytosis through acquiring FH to the cell surface. Here, we characterize an interaction between the streptococcal collagen-like protein Scl1.

Binding of the low-density lipoprotein by streptococcal collagen-like protein Scl1 of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Several bacterial genera express proteins that contain collagen-like regions, which are associated with variable (V) non-collagenous regions. The streptococcal collagen-like proteins, Scl1 and Scl2, of group A Streptococcus (GAS) are members of this 'prokaryotic collagen' family, and they too contain an amino-terminal non-collagenous V region of unknown function. Here, we use recombinant rScl constructs, derived from several Scl1 and Scl2 variants, and affinity chromatography to identify Scl ligands present in human plasma.

Assessment of prokaryotic collagen-like sequences derived from streptococcal Scl1 and Scl2 proteins as a source of recombinant GXY polymers.

Collagen triple helix, composed of the repeating Gly-Xaa-Yaa (GXY) sequence, is a structural element found in all multicellular animals and also in some prokaryotes. Long GXY polymers are highly regarded components used in food, cosmetic, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, we explore a new concept for the production of recombinant GXY polymers which are based on the sequence of "prokaryotic collagens", the streptococcal collagen-like proteins Scl1 and Scl2.