Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Assembled Entirely from Immune Signals on Gold Nanoparticle Templates Promote Antigen-Specific T Cell Response

Materials that allow modular, defined assembly of immune signals could support a new generation of rationally designed vaccines that promote tunable immune responses. Toward this goal, we have developed the first polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings built entirely from immune signals. These immune-PEMs (iPEMs) are self-assembled on gold nanoparticle templates through stepwise electrostatic interactions between peptide antigen and polyanionic toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists that serve as molecular adjuvants. iPEMs do not require solvents or mixing, offer direct control over the composition and loading of vaccine components, and can be coated on substrates at any scale. These films also do not require other structural components, eliminating the potentially confounding effects caused by the inherent immune-stimulatory characteristics of many synthetic polymers. iPEM loading on gold nanoparticle substrates is tunable, and cryoTEM reveals iPEM shells coated on gold cores. These nanoparticles are efficiently internalized by primary dendritic cells (DCs), resulting in activation, selective triggering of TLR signaling, and presentation of the antigens used to assemble iPEMs. In coculture, iPEMs drive antigen-specific T cell proliferation and effector cytokines but not cytokines associated with more generalized inflammation. Compared to mice treated with soluble antigen and adjuvant, iPEM immunization promotes high levels of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells in peripheral blood after 1 week. These enhancements result from increased DC activation and antigen presentation in draining lymph nodes. iPEM-immunized mice also exhibit a potent recall response after boosting, supporting the potential of iPEMs for designing well-defined vaccine coatings that provide high cargo density and eliminate synthetic film components

One-Pot Controlled Synthesis of Homopolymers and Diblock Copolymers Grafted Graphene Oxide Using Couplable RAFT Agents

An original strategy is presented to synthesize homopolymers and diblock copolymers grafted graphene oxide by simultaneous coupling reaction and RAFT process. Z-functionalized <i>S</i>-methoxycarbonylphenylmethyl <i>S′</i>-3-(trimethoxysilyl)­propyltrithiocarbonate (MPTT) and R-functionalized <i>S</i>-4-(trimethoxysilyl)­benzyl <i>S′</i>-propyltrithiocarbonate (TBPT) were used as couplable RAFT agents to prepare the target nanocomposites. Under similar conditions, MPTT-mediated grafting reaction was liable to afford grafted chains with shorter chain length, narrower molecular weight distribution and lower grafting density than TBPT-based reaction owing to increased shielding effect and different grafting process. The grafted polymers had nearly controlled molecular weight and polydispersity ranging between 1.11 and 1.38, and the apparent molar grafting ratio was estimated to be 73.6–220 μmol/g as the molecular weights of grafted polymers were in the range of 3980–12500 g/mol. The improved solubility and dispersibility of GO–polymer composites in various solvents comprising hexane and water confirmed their amphiphilicity. The grafting process offers an opportunity to alter GO morphologies, and surface morphologies involving nanosheets, nanoparticles, and nanorods were observed as the composites were dispersed in different solvents with the aid of sonication treatment. This tandem approach is promising for surface modification of solid substrates with hydroxyl surface due to its mild conditions, straightforward synthesis and good controllability

DataSheet_1_Basin-scale control on N2O loss rate and emission in the Changjiang River network, China.docx

Global riverine N2O emissions have been made by several studies with great uncertainty. However, the regional N2O budgets and patterns in large river networks is still unclear, due to the lacking understanding of in-river N2O emission rate and well-classified river network water areas. Furthermore, the mass ratio of N2O emission against nitrogen(N) load in river networks remains controversial. Here we report N2O emissions from the largest river of China, the Changjiang River network, emphasizing the basin-scale control on riverine N2O loss rate in response to increasing N loads and river size. We find the N2O emission rate is negatively related to Strahler river orders, and positively related to N loading. The velocity (Vf) of N conversion into N2O was 0.131-0.436 m yr-1, and N2O loss rate (ζ) was 0.27-37.64 ×10-4 d-1 and declined exponentially with water discharge. Both the loss rate and the mass ratio of N conversion into N2O varied significantly at basin scale, indicating the diminishing capacity of river ecosystems to convert excess DIN into N2O when N load increased as a direct result of human activities. Our study shows N2O emission was 0.66 Gg N2O-N (1Gg=109g) in 1986 and increased to 10.3 Gg N2O-N in 2014 for the whole Changjiang River network. We identified the headwater streams are hotspots of N2O emission across the headwater stream to the estuary aquatic continuum. N2O emission was about 0.82% - 5.31% of global riverine N2O budget during 2010-2014. Our study suggested that an integrated approach in view of the riverine N loads and river hydrology is needed to improve estimates of riverine N2O emissions.</p

Effect of Ni Nanoparticles on HG Sheets Modified by GO on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Ni-based compounds are being explored as an alternative for Pt in hydrogen evolution reactions. In this work, phenylhydrazine-4-sulfonic acid is utilized in the reduction of graphene oxide to synthesize novel hydrophilic graphene, and electrodeposition is used to synthesize Ni–HG/NF composite cathodes from a nickel sulphamate bath containing suspended-sized hydrophilic graphene. The Ni–HG_0.5/NF composite coatings reveal prominent activity on the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solutions with a high exchange current density of 5.012 mA cm^–2, a low Tafel slope of 81 mV dec^–1, and small overpotentials of 30 and 140 mV to obtain current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm^–2. These results are attributed to hydrophilic reform of hydrophilic graphene, enhanced charge transfer between Ni and hydrophilic graphene, and the strong intensity of Ni(111) of Ni–HG_0.5/NF catalyst

Table_1_Case report: A rare case of death due to end-stage renal disease caused by Tripterygium wilfordii-induced myelosuppression.XLSX

Tripterygium wilfordii—a traditional Chinese herbal medicine—is used to treat several diseases, including chronic kidney disease, rheumatic autoimmune disorder, and skin disorders. With the development of modern pharmacology, scientists have gradually realized that T. wilfordii has side effects on several organs and systems of the human body, including the liver, kidney, reproductive system, hematopoietic system, and immune system. Our understanding of its toxicity remains unclear. The incidence of problems in the hematopoietic system is not low but few related studies have been conducted. The serious consequences need to be of concern to clinicians and scientists. To ensure the safety of patients, it is important to elucidate the mechanism underlying the damage to the hematopoietic system caused by T. wilfordii and strategies to reduce its toxicity. Routine blood and biochemical tests should be conducted when administering T. wilfordii, and in case of any abnormality, the medication should be terminated in time along with a comprehensive symptomatic treatment. Herein, we report the case of a 50-year-old Chinese female with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who developed severe bone marrow suppression after taking a short-term normal dose of a T. wilfordii-containing decoction. She died of sepsis and septic shock, although timely therapeutic measures (e.g., stimulating hematopoiesis, anti-infection treatment, and hemodialysis) were administered. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of death by T. wilfordii-induced myelosuppression from a short term, conventional dose in an adult female with ESRD. Although the underlying mechanism remains unclear, this case contradicts the notion that side effects on the hematopoietic system are non-lethal.</p

Holistic Anti/Dewetting Design of Anti/Deicing Superhydrophobic Surfaces (ADISS)

Anti/deicing superhydrophobic surfaces (ADISS) exhibit appealing capabilities of shedding water and delaying icing through the nonwetting Cassie–Baxter (C–B) state, whose maintenance should be a prerequisite for the practical applications of ADISS. However, the C–B state often suffers from inevitable degradation, while its recovery encounters significant challenges. Therefore, holistic antiwetting/dewetting designs deserve more attention to deal with multiscale water exposure of ADISS involving multifactorial interactions in time and space. Herein, three criteria were proposed for the design of nonwetting ADISS: high intrinsic contact angle, fine nanoscale structures, and appropriate spatial distribution of micro/nanostructures. By optimized air spraying, the target nanoengineered surfaces were constructed with a stable nano-Cassie state and improved anti-icing and antifrosting properties. Moreover, the dewetting ability to achieve the recovery of the C–B state was demonstrated, based on which a novel deicing mechanism involving coalescence-induced ice detachment has been revealed. This design method of ADISS is holistic and easy to execute, thus, having practical value in engineering applications

Holistic Anti/Dewetting Design of Anti/Deicing Superhydrophobic Surfaces (ADISS)

Anti/deicing superhydrophobic surfaces (ADISS) exhibit appealing capabilities of shedding water and delaying icing through the nonwetting Cassie–Baxter (C–B) state, whose maintenance should be a prerequisite for the practical applications of ADISS. However, the C–B state often suffers from inevitable degradation, while its recovery encounters significant challenges. Therefore, holistic antiwetting/dewetting designs deserve more attention to deal with multiscale water exposure of ADISS involving multifactorial interactions in time and space. Herein, three criteria were proposed for the design of nonwetting ADISS: high intrinsic contact angle, fine nanoscale structures, and appropriate spatial distribution of micro/nanostructures. By optimized air spraying, the target nanoengineered surfaces were constructed with a stable nano-Cassie state and improved anti-icing and antifrosting properties. Moreover, the dewetting ability to achieve the recovery of the C–B state was demonstrated, based on which a novel deicing mechanism involving coalescence-induced ice detachment has been revealed. This design method of ADISS is holistic and easy to execute, thus, having practical value in engineering applications

Holistic Anti/Dewetting Design of Anti/Deicing Superhydrophobic Surfaces (ADISS)

Anti/deicing superhydrophobic surfaces (ADISS) exhibit appealing capabilities of shedding water and delaying icing through the nonwetting Cassie–Baxter (C–B) state, whose maintenance should be a prerequisite for the practical applications of ADISS. However, the C–B state often suffers from inevitable degradation, while its recovery encounters significant challenges. Therefore, holistic antiwetting/dewetting designs deserve more attention to deal with multiscale water exposure of ADISS involving multifactorial interactions in time and space. Herein, three criteria were proposed for the design of nonwetting ADISS: high intrinsic contact angle, fine nanoscale structures, and appropriate spatial distribution of micro/nanostructures. By optimized air spraying, the target nanoengineered surfaces were constructed with a stable nano-Cassie state and improved anti-icing and antifrosting properties. Moreover, the dewetting ability to achieve the recovery of the C–B state was demonstrated, based on which a novel deicing mechanism involving coalescence-induced ice detachment has been revealed. This design method of ADISS is holistic and easy to execute, thus, having practical value in engineering applications

Holistic Anti/Dewetting Design of Anti/Deicing Superhydrophobic Surfaces (ADISS)

Anti/deicing superhydrophobic surfaces (ADISS) exhibit appealing capabilities of shedding water and delaying icing through the nonwetting Cassie–Baxter (C–B) state, whose maintenance should be a prerequisite for the practical applications of ADISS. However, the C–B state often suffers from inevitable degradation, while its recovery encounters significant challenges. Therefore, holistic antiwetting/dewetting designs deserve more attention to deal with multiscale water exposure of ADISS involving multifactorial interactions in time and space. Herein, three criteria were proposed for the design of nonwetting ADISS: high intrinsic contact angle, fine nanoscale structures, and appropriate spatial distribution of micro/nanostructures. By optimized air spraying, the target nanoengineered surfaces were constructed with a stable nano-Cassie state and improved anti-icing and antifrosting properties. Moreover, the dewetting ability to achieve the recovery of the C–B state was demonstrated, based on which a novel deicing mechanism involving coalescence-induced ice detachment has been revealed. This design method of ADISS is holistic and easy to execute, thus, having practical value in engineering applications

Holistic Anti/Dewetting Design of Anti/Deicing Superhydrophobic Surfaces (ADISS)

Anti/deicing superhydrophobic surfaces (ADISS) exhibit appealing capabilities of shedding water and delaying icing through the nonwetting Cassie–Baxter (C–B) state, whose maintenance should be a prerequisite for the practical applications of ADISS. However, the C–B state often suffers from inevitable degradation, while its recovery encounters significant challenges. Therefore, holistic antiwetting/dewetting designs deserve more attention to deal with multiscale water exposure of ADISS involving multifactorial interactions in time and space. Herein, three criteria were proposed for the design of nonwetting ADISS: high intrinsic contact angle, fine nanoscale structures, and appropriate spatial distribution of micro/nanostructures. By optimized air spraying, the target nanoengineered surfaces were constructed with a stable nano-Cassie state and improved anti-icing and antifrosting properties. Moreover, the dewetting ability to achieve the recovery of the C–B state was demonstrated, based on which a novel deicing mechanism involving coalescence-induced ice detachment has been revealed. This design method of ADISS is holistic and easy to execute, thus, having practical value in engineering applications