Macrophages-derived p38α promotes the experimental severe acute pancreatitis by regulating inflammation and autophagy

Abstract(#br)Background(#br)Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common threat to human health. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which p38α in macrophages contributes to SAP. We used conditional knockout of p38α in macrophages and p38 MAPK inhibitors to understand the effects of p38α in macrophages on caerulein-induced inflammatory responses in SAP mice models.(#br)Methods and materials(#br)Wild-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, SAP group, and SAP + p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) group, and mice with a conditional knockout (KO) of p38α in macrophages were included in a KO + SAP group. We evaluated pancreatic pathology and ultra-structure by hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. The pulmonary wet-to-dry weight ratio was calculated. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by ELISA. The mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-18, MIF, and MCP-1 in pancreatic tissues were tested by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. The protein expression of p38, caspase-1, ULK1, LC3B and p62 in pancreatic tissues was examined by Western blotting.(#br)Results(#br)The results indicated that the severity of SAP as well as the expression of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-18 and MCP-1 were higher in the SAP group than those in the control group, but were lower in the SAP + SB203580 and KO + SAP groups as compared with the SAP group. The protein expression of p38, caspase-1, LC3B and p62 was increased in the SAP group than that in the control group, but this result was reversed in the SAP + SB203580 and KO + SAP groups as compared with the SAP group. In addition, the ULK1 level was significantly lower in the SAP group than that in the control group, but was increased in the SAP + SB203580 and KO + SAP groups as compared with the SAP group.(#br)Conclusions(#br)Our findings demonstrated that, macrophage derived p38α promoted the experimental severe acute pancreatitis by regulating inflammation and autophagy

The Measurement of rho‐independent Transcription Terminator Efficiency

The purpose of this RFC is to provide standard methodology for the measurement of the absolute strength of terminators in bacteria. Because we have characterized the performance of terminator in E. coli and used a simple equation model, it can be expressed in PoPS

Measurement of Particulate n-alkanes and PAHs Inside and Outside a Temple in Xiamen, China

Total suspended particles samples inside and outside the South Pu-Tuo Temple (SPT), a traditional Buddhist temple in Xiamen, China were collected and further analyzed for n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the periods of worship. It was observed that the concentrations of particulate n-alkanes at SPT were abnormally higher compared to the surrounding bus terminus and campus. In addition, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) equivalent concentrations at SPT (7.1-26.3 ng/m(3)) were significantly higher than those at the bus terminus (5.1-6.9 ng/m(3)) although the PAH concentrations were comparable. The hazard potential of PAHs in terms of the carcinogenicity of BaP inside SPT is not acceptable because the indoor air quality standard of BaP recommended by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China is 1 ng/m(3) (daily mean). Ratios of fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene to indeno[1,2,3-cd] pyrene plus benzo[g,h,i] perylene and 1,7-DMP (dimethylphenanthrene) to 2,6-DMP plus 1,7-DMP were further calculated; the values of these three together with the ratio of retene to phenanthrene separated the SPT samples from the bus terminus samples, in that SPT samples showed a strong influence of wood burning (such as bamboo sticks, stick coatings, and joss paper).National Science Foundation of China [20777060

Effect of Surfactant on the Volatilization of Organochlorine Pesticides from Still Artificial Seawater

[摘要]：研究了阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠( SDBS) 对17 种有机氯农药(OCPs) 在模拟静海水水面挥发的影响及机制. 结 果表明, 低浓度SDBS的存在能抑制OCPs 的挥发, 抑制能力有随SDBS 浓度增加而增加的趋势, 且经盐常数校正后的气2水分配 系数与挥发速率常数在对数散点图上存在很好的正相关关系. OCPs 化合物挥发阻力分析表明, 低浓度SDBS 形成的表面膜不 会对OCPs 的挥发阻力产生直接影响, 但却增加了大气中OCPs 化合物在液面的沉降, 造成净挥发量减少, 且挥发性相对较强的 化合物受表面活性膜的影响更大.[ABstract]:The effect of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate ( SDBS) on the volatilization of 17 organochlorine pesticides ( OCPs) from still artificial seawater has been examined. The results show that SDBS at low concentration can retard the volatilization of OCPs compared to / clean0 surface. The retarding influence ismore pronounced for high level of SDBS than it is for low level of SDBS. A good positive correlation between the gas2seawater partition coefficients and the measured volatilization rates of OCPs is observed. Although the SDBS films present no significant, direct resistance to transfer, the films can absorb more OCPs from the above atmosphere with respect to the / clean0 surface and reduce the net volatilization flux from the still artificial seawater. The effect of the film is more pronounced for volatilization of more volatile OCPs than it is for less volatile OCPs.国家自然科学基金项目( 40603020) ; 中国博士后科学基金 项目(20060390186

P ollution of an ion ic surfactan t and PCB in coasta l surfa ce seawa ter of Fujian Lprovince

[摘要]：用亚甲蓝分光光度法和GC2ECD 法分别对福建近岸表层海水中的阴离子表面活性剂和PCBs进行了分析, 初步探 讨了表层海水中这两类污染物的来源。表层海水中阴离子表面活性剂浓度范围为0. 04~ 1. 987 mg/L, 较高浓度值站点主要 位于九龙江口、闽江口和湄洲湾海域。PCBs的浓度在3. 9 ~ 367. 1 ng/L之间, 整体上近岸站点浓度值比离岸站点高, 中北部 浓度值比南部高。与其他地区的研究结果及海水水质标准进行比较, 福建沿海表层海水中阴离子表面活性剂和PCB的污染 都较为严重。[Abstract]:The an ion ic surfactant and PCB in the coasta l su rface seawater of Fu jian p rovin ce were analyzed bymethylene blue sp ectro2 photometricmethod andGC2ECD, respectively. Th e concen trations ofmethylene b lu e act ive substan ce (MBAS) in th e surface seawater ranged from 0. 04 to 1. 987mg /L with the h ighest value found at the p ipe ou tlet near X iamen Un iversity. The elevated concentrat ions ofMBASwere observed in J iu long jiang, M in jiang Estuary andMeizhou Bay, poss ib ly du e to the d ischarge of sewage. Th e concentrat ions of totalPCBs ( d issolved p lu s particu late phase) ranged from 3. 9 to 367. 1 ng/L in th e surface L seawater and increased concentrat ions were ob served from offsh ore to inshore and from sou th to north. Th e pollut ion of an ion ic surfactan ts and PCBs in the coastal su rface sea2 water of Fu j ian P rovin ce is a seriou s prob lem comparingw ith other values reported andU S and Canada seawater2qu ality criteria.中国博士后科学基金( 20060390186); 国家自然科学基金项目( 40603020

Mechanism and intervention of murine transfusion-related acute lung injury caused by anti-CD36 antibodies

Anti-CD36 Abs have been suggested to induce transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) upon blood transfusion, particularly in Asian populations. However, little is known about the pathological mechanism of anti-CD36 Ab–mediated TRALI, and potential therapies have not yet been identified. Here, we developed a murine model of anti-CD36 Ab–mediated TRALI to address these questions. Administration of mouse mAb against CD36 (mAb GZ1) or human anti-CD36 IgG, but not GZ1 F(ab′)2 fragments, induced severe TRALI in Cd36+/+ male mice. Predepletion of recipient monocytes or complement, but not neutrophils or platelets, prevented the development of murine TRALI. Moreover, plasma C5a levels after TRALI induction by anti-CD36 Abs increased more than 3-fold, implying a critical role of complement C5 activation in the mechanism of Fc-dependent anti-CD36–mediated TRALI. Administration of GZ1 F(ab′)2, antioxidant (N-acetyl cysteine, NAC), or C5 blocker (mAb BB5.1) before TRALI induction completely protected mice from anti-CD36–mediated TRALI. Although no significant amelioration in TRALI was observed when mice were injected with GZ1 F(ab′)2 after TRALI induction, significant improvement was achieved when mice were treated postinduction with NAC or anti-C5. Importantly, anti-C5 treatment completely rescued mice from TRALI, suggesting the potential role of existing anti-C5 drugs in the treatment of patients with TRALI caused by anti-CD36

Electrospinning as a route to advanced carbon fibre materials for selected low-temperature electrochemical devices: a review

Electrospinning has been proven as a highly versatile fabrication method for producing nano-structured fibres with controllable morphology, of both the fibres themselves and the void structure of the mats. Additionally, it is possible to use heteroatom doped polymers or to include catalytic precursors in the electrospinning solution to control the surface properties of the fibres. These factors make it an ideal method for the production of electrodes and flow media for a variety of electrochemical devices, enabling reduction in mass transport and activation overpotentials and therefore increasing efficiency. Moreover, the use of biomass as a polymer source has recently gained attention for the ability to embed sustainable principles in the materials of electrochemical devices, complementing their ability to allow an increase in the use of renewable electricity via their application. In this review, the historical and recent developments of electrospun materials for application in redox flow batteries, fuel cells, metal air batteries and supercapacitors are thoroughly reviewed, including an overview of the electrospinning process and a guide to best practice. Finally, we provide an outlook for the emerging use of this process in the field of electrochemical energy devices with the hope that the combination of tailored microstructure, surface functionality and computer modelling will herald a new era of bespoke functional materials that can significantly improve the performance of the devices in which they are used