Increased Expression of Ganglioside GM1 in Peripheral CD4+ T Cells Correlates Soluble Form of CD30 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Gangliosides GM1 is a good marker of membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) with important function in cellular activation processes. In this study we found that GM1 expression on CD4+ T cells and memory T cells (CD45RO/CD4) were dramatic increased after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin in vitro. Next, we examined the GM1 expression on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from 44 patients with SLE and 28 healthy controls by flow cytometry. GM1 expression was further analyzed with serum soluble CD30 (sCD30), IL-10, TNF-alpha and clinical parameters. The mean fluorescence intensity of GM1 on CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE was significantly higher than those from healthy controls, but not on CD8+ T cells. Increased expression of GM1 was more marked on CD4+/CD45RO+ memory T cells from active SLE patients. Patients with SLE showed significantly elevated serum sCD30 and IL-10, but not TNF-alpha levels. In addition, we found that enhanced GM1 expression on CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE positively correlated with high serum levels of sCD30 and IgG as well as disease activity (SLEDAI scores). Our data suggested the potential role of aberrant lipid raft/GM1 on CD4+ T cells and sCD30 in the pathogenesis of SLE

Dietary fiber intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The mediating role of obesity

Background and aimsDietary pattern rich in fiber is negatively associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Meanwhile, obesity is a known predisposing factor for NAFLD. Nutrient-focused research can enhance the mechanistic understanding of dietary effects. We thus hypothesized that higher dietary fiber intake was associated with lower risk of NAFLD through the mediating role of obesity.MethodsIn this nationwide cross-sectional study, dietary fiber was surveyed using two 24-h recalls. NAFLD and clinically significant fibrosis (CSF) were determined by vibration-controlled transient elastography. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were applied to investigate the association of dietary fiber with NAFLD, CSF, and liver function parameters. We used counterfactual-based mediation analysis to estimate the direct and indirect effect of dietary fiber on NAFLD.ResultsOf the 3,974 participants, ~36.86% and 7.78% of participants were diagnosed with NAFLD and CSF. Compared with participants among the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of dietary fiber consumption was associated with lower odds of NAFLD (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66–0.98; Poverall = 0.019). Dietary fiber intake appeared to be linked with lower odds of CSF (ORTertile3vs.Tertile1 = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.58–1.14; Poverall = 0.107). Mediation analysis showed that obesity fully mediated the association of dietary fiber with NAFLD. Dietary fiber was associated with improved hepatic parameters.ConclusionsThe findings indicated that increasing dietary fiber intake could confer a greater benefit to protect against NAFLD. Translating these findings regarding dietary fiber into dietary advice might be an attractive strategy for NAFLD prevention

High-Toughness Poly(lactic Acid)/Starch Blends Prepared through Reactive Blending Plasticization and Compatibilization

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/starch blends were prepared through reactive melt blending by using PLA and starch as raw materials and vegetable oil polyols, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and citric acid (CA) as additives. The effects of CA and PEG on the toughness of PLA/starch blends were analyzed using a mechanical performance test, scanning electron microscope analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, rheological analysis, and hydrophilicity test. Results showed that the elongation at break and impact strength of the PLA/premixed starch (PSt)/PEG/CA blend were 140.51% and 3.56 kJ·m−2, which were 13.4 and 1.8 times higher than those of pure PLA, respectively. The essence of the improvement in the toughness of the PLA/PSt/PEG/CA blend was the esterification reaction among CA, PEG, and starch. During the melt-blending process, the CA with abundant carboxyl groups reacted in the amorphous region of the starch. The shape and crystal form of the starch did not change, but the surface activity of the starch improved and consequently increased the adhesion between starch and PLA. As a plasticizer for PLA and starch, PEG effectively enhanced the mobility of the molecular chains. After PEG was dispersed, it participated in the esterification reaction of CA and starch at the interface and formed a branched/crosslinked copolymer that was embedded in the interface of PLA and starch. This copolymer further improved the compatibility of the PLA/starch blends. PEGs with small molecules and CA were used as compatibilizers to reduce the effect on PLA biodegradability. The esterification reaction on the starch surface improved the compatibilization and toughness of the PLA/starch blend materials and broadens their application prospects in the fields of medicine and high-fill packaging

In-situ Polymerization of exfoliated structure PA6/organo-clay nanocomposites

Montmorillonite (MMT) was modified with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) to obtain organomontmorillonite (OMMT) by stirring and pulsed ultrasonic mixing. Polyamide 6 (PA6)/OMMT nanocomposites were then prepared via in-situ polymerization.The resulting OMMT and PA6/OMMT nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results suggested that the OMMT interlayer distance was greatly increased to 3.13 nm due to CTAB being inter-calated into the MMT galleries. The OMMT interlayer distance was further enlarged to 10-20 nm during the polymerization process. The OMMT layers were exfoliated into nanoscale layers and uniformly dispersed in the molten ∈-caprolactam and PA6 matrix, and exfoliated structure nanocomposites were formed

Increased Autophagy Enhances the Resistance to Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis Human Fibroblast-Like Synovial Cell

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) was reported to increase autophagy in rheumatoid arthritis human fibroblast-like synovial cell (RA-HFLS). We investigated different levels of TNF-α exposed to RA-HFLS by focusing on the relationship of autophagy and apoptosis. RA-HFLS and normal human fibroblast-like synovial cell (HFLS) were stimulated by TNF-α in the presence or the absence of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or chloroquine (CQ). Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Autophagy was determined through the expression levels of LC3, Beclin1, and P62 measured by Western Blot analysis as well as Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. The basal autophagy level was significantly higher in RA-HFLS than in HFLS. Autophagy was enhanced both in RA-HFLS and HFLS when they were treated with TNF-α. With the treatment of TNF-α, a slightly higher autophagy level was found in RA-HFLS than in HFLS, without a dose dependent effect. When autophagy was inhibited by 3-MA or CQ, apoptosis increased in both groups. With the stimulation of different doses TNF-α, apoptosis was much higher in HFLS group than in RA-HFLS. Autophagy is a protection mechanism when treated by TNF-α in RA-HFLS

Higher Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Score Is Associated with Lower Odds of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Growing evidence supports that individual lifestyle factors contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without considering the coexistence and synergistic effect of lifestyle factors. Our aim is to derive a healthy lifestyle score (HLS) and estimate its association with NAFLD. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we derived a five-item HLS including dietary pattern, body mass index, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and sleep duration. NAFLD and clinically significant fibrosis (CSF) were assessed based on vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). Liver function parameters were also tested. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions were applied to investigate the association between HLS and liver diseases. Of the 3893 participants with VCTE examination, approximately 14.1% of participants possessed zero or one healthy lifestyle, 62.5% possessed two or three healthy lifestyles, and 23.4% possessed four or five healthy lifestyles. Compared with participants with a low HLS (0–1 score), the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for those with a high HLS (4–5 score) were 0.25 (0.19~0.33, Ptrend < 0.001) for NAFLD and 0.30 (0.18~0.50, Ptrend < 0.001) for CSF. HLS was positively associated with albumin, total protein, and total bilirubin (all Ptrend ≤ 0.001), and was inversely associated with globulin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transaminase (all Ptrend ≤ 0.003). Higher adherence to HLS is associated with lower odds of NAFLD and CSF and may improve liver function. Strategies for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle should be considered as part of NAFLD prevention

Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients Infected with COVID-19 from Wuhan, China: A Retrospective Study

Background. Since the first diagnosed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), there has been a rapid spread of the disease with an increasing number of cases confirmed every day, as well as a rising death toll. An association has been reported between acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, our study was conducted to explore possible risk factors of AKI as well as whether AKI was a risk factor for worse outcome, especially mortality among patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods. We included all hospital admissions with confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 from January 29 to February 25, 2020. We collected demographic and epidemiological information, past medical history, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatments, and outcome data from electronic medical records. A total of 492 patients with diagnosed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 were included in this study. Results. The prevalence rate of AKI was 7.32%. Among the factors associated with AKI, males versus females (aOR 2.73), chronic kidney disease (aOR 42.2), hypertension (aOR 2.82), increased leucocytes (aOR 6.08), and diuretic use (aOR 7.89) were identified as independent risk factors for AKI among patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. There was a significant difference in hospital fees and death in patients with and without AKI (p<0.05). The mortality rate in patients with AKI was 63.9%. Conclusions. AKI was widespread among patients with COVID-19. The risk factors of AKI in COVID-19 patients included sex, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, infection, and diuretic use. AKI may be associated with a worse outcome, especially mortality in COVID-19 patients