Performance and mechanism of amphiphilic polymeric chelator for enhanced removal of high concentrations of Cu(II) from wastewater.

An amphiphilic polymeric chelator (APC16-g-SX) grafted with sodium xanthate (SX) groups was successfully prepared for the efficient removal of high concentrations of Cu(II) from wastewater. The ordinary polymeric chelator (PAM-g-SX) based on linear polyacrylamide (PAM) was also prepared for comparative studies. The polymeric chelators were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (C-NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), elemental analyzer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Biomechanical and Mechanostat analysis of a titanium layered porous implant for mandibular reconstruction: The effect of the topology optimization design.

A porous scaffold/implant is considered a potential method to repair bone defects, but its mechanical stability and biomechanics during the repair process are not yet clear. A mandibular titanium implant was proposed and designed with layered porous structures similar to that of the bone tissue, both in structure and mechanical properties. Topology was used to optimize the design of the porous implant and fixed structure.

Exosomes from adipose‑derived stem cells promote chondrogenesis and suppress inflammation by upregulating miR‑145 and miR‑221.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint disorders globally. Patients suffering from OA are often obese and adiposity is linked to chronic inflammation. In the present study, the potential of using exosomes isolated from adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a therapeutic tool for reducing chronic inflammation and promoting chondrogenesis was investigated using patient‑derived primary cells.

Bionic mechanical design and 3D printing of novel porous Ti6Al4V implants for biomedical applications.

In maxillofacial surgery, there is a significant need for the design and fabrication of porous scaffolds with customizable bionic structures and mechanical properties suitable for bone tissue engineering. In this paper, we characterize the porous Ti6Al4V implant, which is one of the most promising and attractive biomedical applications due to the similarity of its modulus to human bones. We describe the mechanical properties of this implant, which we suggest is capable of providing important biological functions for bone tissue regeneration.

SOCS1 and SOCS3 Target IRF7 Degradation To Suppress TLR7-Mediated Type I IFN Production of Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells.

Type I IFN production of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) triggered by TLR-signaling is an essential part of antiviral responses and autoimmune reactions. Although it was well-documented that members of the cytokine signaling (SOCS) family regulate TLR-signaling, the mechanism of how SOCS proteins regulate TLR7-mediated type I IFN production has not been elucidated yet. In this article, we show that TLR7 activation in human pDCs induced the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3.

Increased circulating levels of neurotrophins and elevated expression of their high-affinity receptors on skin and gut mast cells in mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis is a rare heterogeneous disease characterized by increase of mast cells (MCs) in different organs. Neurotrophins (NTs) have been shown to promote differentiation and survival of MCs, which in turn represent a major source of NTs. Thus, a contribution of NTs to mastocytosis seems highly conceivable but has not yet been investigated.

[Analysis of reason and strategy for the failure of posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation on thoracolumbar fractures].

Objective: To analyze the reason and strategy for failure of posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation on thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: From March 2008 to December 2010,the clinical data of 18 patients with thoracolumbar fracture failed in posterior pedicle screw short-segment internal fixation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 37.

Attenuated TGF-β1 responsiveness of dendritic cells and their precursors in atopic dermatitis.

The responsiveness of DCs and their precursors to transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) affects the nature of differentiating DC subsets, which are essential for the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). To evaluate TGF-β signaling in monocytes and monocyte-derived DCs of AD patients compared with that of controls, in vitro generated Langerhans cell (LC) like DCs, expression of TGF-β receptors, phospho-Smad2/3 and Smad7 were evaluated. Furthermore, TNF-α expression and synergistic effects of TNF-α upon TGF-β signaling and DC generation were evaluated.

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells support Th17 cell effector function in response to TLR7 ligation.

Signals involved in the commitment of Th17 differentiation are of substantial interest for our understanding of antimicrobial defense mechanisms and autoimmune disorders. Various ways in which myeloid dendritic cells modulate Th17 differentiation have been identified. However, although plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are regarded as important players in antiviral/antimicrobial host defense and autoimmune diseases, a putative modulatory role of PDCs in Th17 differentiation has not yet been elucidated in detail.

The immunoglobulin E-Toll-like receptor network.

Allergens and microbial antigens impact on effector cells and antigen-presenting cells in allergic diseases. Allergens bind specifically to immunoglobulin E (IgE) linked to the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) and stimulate a cascade of cellular events. This leads to the release of mediators of allergic reactions by effector cells on the one hand and antigen uptake, presentation and T cell priming by antigen-presenting cells on the other hand.

Molecular pathogenesis and clinical implications of eczema herpeticum.

A subgroup of patients with atopic dermatitis develops one or more episodes of a severe viral skin infection caused by herpes simplex virus superimposed on eczematous skin lesions. This condition is named atopic dermatitis complicated by eczema herpeticum. Characteristic features of patients developing eczema herpeticum include an early age of onset of atopic dermatitis with a persistent and severe course into adulthood, predilection for eczematous skin lesions in the head and neck area, elevated total serum IgE levels and increased allergen sensitisation.

Tacrolimus and TGF-beta act synergistically on the generation of Langerhans cells.

Background: The proportion of dendritic cell subpopulations in the skin is important for the severity of atopic dermatitis because topical treatment with tacrolimus leads to rapid depletion of inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells, whereas Langerhans cells (LCs) predominate in cured sites.

Objectives: The effects of tacrolimus and TGF-beta1 on LC differentiation and the idea of tacrolimus skewing the differentiation of epidermal precursors to LCs were evaluated.

Methods: The presence of LC markers, MHC, and costimulatory molecules and stimulatory capacity toward T cells of monocyte-derived LCs were analyzed.

Inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides downregulate herpes simplex virus-induced plasmacytoid dendritic cell type I interferon production and modulate cell function.

Recognition of nucleic acids by TLR9 expressed by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) plays a key role in the defense against viral infections. Upon microbial pathogen stimulation, PDC secrete large amounts of type I interferon and arbitrate thereby both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. Unmethylated CpG motifs, which are an integral part of bacterial or viral DNA, are used in vitro and in vivo to activate the TLR9 pathway, whereas inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotide (iODN) are capable of depressing TLR9 signaling.

Toll-like receptor 4 ligation enforces tolerogenic properties of oral mucosal Langerhans cells.

Background: Despite high bacterial colonization, acute infections are rare in the oral mucosa, implicating tolerogenic predominance. Bacterial antigens like LPSs are recognized by innate immunity receptors such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), associated with LPS receptor (CD14).

Objectives: Toll-like receptor 4 agonist monosphoryl lipid A has been successfully used as adjuvant in subcutaneous immunotherapy, suggesting reinforcement of allergen-specific tolerance.

[Mesenchymal stem cells do not differentiate into "quasi-sperm"].

Objective: To determine whether the surviving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the testis after transplantation can differentiate into quasi-sperm.

Methods: (1) Making an animal model with sterilized testes. Forty 4-week old white male BASB/C mice were used to establish an animal model with sterilized testes and divided randomly into an experimental and a control group.

[Making of the animal model with sterilized testes].

Objective: To explore the methods of making an animal model with sterilized testes.

Methods: (1) X-ray local irradiation. Seventy 8-10-week-old male mice were equally divided into 6 experiment groups and a control group.

[Demonstration of simultaneous infection with dengue type 2 and 3 in a Chinese patient].

IgG and IgM antibodies to dengue virus(DEN) in patient serum sample were detected with an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The patient's serum was inoculated into the culture of C6/36 cells to isolate dengue virus. Viral RNA was extracted from cultured supernatant and RT-PCR amplification and sequencing were carried out.

[Study on the animal model for severe acute respiratory syndrome].

To screen small animals susceptible to SARS-CoV, five species of animals, including guinea pig, hamster, albino hamster, chicken and rat, were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV strain BJ-01 by different routes. On the basis of this, further cynomolgus and rhesus macaques were selected and experimentally inoculated SARS-CoV, the quality they serve as animal model for SARS was evaluated. The results showed that, all five species of small animals chosed were not susceptible to SARS-CoV, no characterized changes in clinical sign and histopathology were observed after infection, but from the lung samples of large rat and pig guinea, the genomic RNA of SARS-CoV could be detected by RT-PCR at day 14 post infection, this suggested that SARS-CoV could replicate in these animals.

[Transplantation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into the xenogeneic testis].

Objective: To study transplantation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the xenogeneic testis.

Methods: (1) The tibias and femurs were dissected from 5-6-week-old mice. The marrow in the tibias and femurs was flushed out with medium.

[Isolation and culture of mouse marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biological characteristics of MSCs cultured in conditions for spermatogonia in vitro].

Objective: To isolate, culture and purify mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and observe the main biological characteristics of MSCs cultured in conditions for spermatogonia in vitro.

Methods: The tibias and femurs were dissected from 5 - 6-week old mice and the marrow in the tibias and femurs was flushed out with medium. MSCs were isolated, cultured, purified in vitro by Percoll density gradient centrifugation combined with adherent method and identified by dynamic observation of stem cell characteristics by transmission electron microscope, HE staining, and immunohistochemical detection of cell markers.