Adipose Tissue-Resident Immune Cells in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Inflammation is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of obesity-related type 2 diabetes (T2D). Adipose tissue-resident immune cells have been observed, and the potential contribution of these cells to metabolic dysfunction has been appreciated in recent years. This review focused on adipose tissue-resident immune cells that are dysregulated in the context of obesity and T2D. We comprehensively overviewed emerging knowledge regarding the phenotypic and functional properties of these cells and local factors that control their development. We discussed their function in controlling the immune response cascade and disease progression. We also characterized the metabolic profiles of these cells to explain the functional consequences in obese adipose tissues. Finally, we discussed the potential therapeutic targeting of adipose tissue-resident immune cells with the aim of addressing novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this disease

Facile synthesis of a nickel sulfide (NiS) hierarchical flower for the electrochemical oxidation of H2O2 and the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR).

The synthesis of a novel hierarchical flower-like NiS via a solvothermal method for the electrochemcial oxidation of H2O2 on a carbon paste electrode with high catalytic activity for the (MOR) in an alkaline medium has been reported. Novel nickel sulfide (NiS) hierarchical flower-like structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. A carbon paste electrode was modified with the as-prepared hierarchical flower-like NiS, resulting in a high electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of H2O2. The NiS-modified electrode was used for H2O2 sensing, which was achieved over a wide linear range from 0.5 μMto1.37mM(I/μA =-0.19025 + 0.06094 C/mM) with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 μM and a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.8 μM. The hierarchical flower-like NiS also exhibited a high electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in an alkaline medium with a high tolerance toward the catalyst-poisoning species generated during the MOR. The MOR proceeded via the direct electrooxidation of methanol on the oxidized NiS surface layer because the oxidation peak potential of the MOR was more positive than that of the oxidation of NiS

Effect of Microstructure on the Compressive Mechanical Properties of Ti-20Zr-6.5Al-4V Alloy

The effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties of Ti-20Zr-6.5Al-4V alloy after solution and aging treatment was investigated by compression tests. The results showed that the microstructure was consisted of a duplex phase αʺ + β structure after solution treatment. With increasing solution treatment temperature, the size of β phase grain increased and the amount of αʺ phase decreased. The ultimate compressive strength and elongation decreased with increasing solution treatment temperature, while the yield strength increased. After aging-treatment at 700 ºC for 1.5 h, the microstructure consisted of a large amount of globular α phase, a little amount of fine acicular α phase and bulk β phase for the samples solution-treated at 850 ºC for 0.5 h. With increasing initial solution treatment temperature, the amount of globular α phase and bulk β phase decreased, however, the amount and size of acicular α phase increased after aging treatment. The ultimate compressive strength and elongation decreased with increasing initial solution treatment temperature, whereas the yield strength firstly increased, and then slightly decreased.</p

Self-Similar Random Process and Chaotic Behavior In Serrated Flow of High Entropy Alloys

The statistical and dynamic analyses of the serrated-flow behavior in the nanoindentation of a high-entropy alloy, Al0.5CoCrCuFeNi, at various holding times and temperatures, are performed to reveal the hidden order associated with the seemingly-irregular intermittent flow. Two distinct types of dynamics are identified in the high-entropy alloy, which are based on the chaotic time-series, approximate entropy, fractal dimension, and Hurst exponent. The dynamic plastic behavior at both room temperature and 200 °C exhibits a positive Lyapunov exponent, suggesting that the underlying dynamics is chaotic. The fractal dimension of the indentation depth increases with the increase of temperature, and there is an inflection at the holding time of 10 s at the same temperature. A large fractal dimension suggests the concurrent nucleation of a large number of slip bands. In particular, for the indentation with the holding time of 10 s at room temperature, the slip process evolves as a self-similar random process with a weak negative correlation similar to a random walk

LTBI-negative close contacts of tuberculosis are more likely to develop the disease: enlightenment and lessons from a cluster outbreak

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) prevention and control among groups living together, such as students, workers, older adults in nursing homes, and prisoners, present many challenges due to their particular age and environmental factors, which can make them more susceptible to TB clusters with significant societal impact. This study aimed to evaluate a TB cluster outbreak epidemic in a university and provide suggestions for improving TB control strategies for groups living together.MethodsPulmonary TB screening and close-contact investigation were conducted using acid-fast staining, sputum culture, GeneXpert testing, tuberculin skin testing (TST), interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), and chest computed tomography (CT). GraphPad Prism 9.5.1 was utilized for data analysis. Collected epidemic data were comprehensively analyzed by rate comparison.ResultsThe TB cluster outbreak epidemic was identified with an index case confirmed positive. The initial screening was conducted on potential close contacts of the index case, and the TST’s positive rate (diameter ≥ 5 mm) and strong positive rate (diameter ≥ 15 mm) among these close contacts were 65.60% (21/32) and 34.40% (11/32), respectively. Moreover, the latent TB infection (LTBI) rate (diameter ≥ 10 mm) was 43.75% (14/32), and the IGRA’s positive rate was 9.30% (3/32). Chest CT scans did not reveal any abnormalities. Surprisingly, 5 of the close contacts developed active TB in the second screening, accompanied by changes from negative to positive TST and/or IGRA results, after 3 months of follow-up. Accordingly, we expanded the screening scope to include another 28 general contacts. We found that the positive rate (78.00%, 25/32), strong positive rate (50.00%, 16/32), and LTBI rate (62.50%, 20/32) of the 32 close contacts were significantly higher than those of the additional general contacts (28.00%, 8/28; 14.3%, 4/28; 25.00%, 7/28), as indicated by p &lt; 0.05.ConclusionIn the event of an epidemic TB outbreak, it is essential to rapidly identify the source of infection and initiate timely screening of close contacts. The initial screening should be focused on individuals without LTBI, who are at higher risk of developing TB. In purified protein derivative-negative individuals living in groups, additional vaccination or revaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guérin may help prevent cluster outbreaks of TB

Factors associated with euphoria in a large subset of cases using propofol sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy

BackgroundThe utilization of Propofol, a widely used intravenous sedative or anesthetic, is characterized by its quick onset, predictable control, and fleeting half-life during both general anesthesia and intensive care unit sedation. Recent evidence, however, has highlighted propofol’s propensity to induce euphoria, particularly in patients undergoing painless procedures such as gastrointestinal or gastric endoscopy. Given its widespread use in patients undergoing such procedures, this study aims to investigate the clinical evidence and factors that may influence propofol-induced euphoria in these settings.MethodsThe Addiction Research Center Inventory-Chinese Version (ARCI-CV) scale was administered to 360 patients undergoing gastric or gastrointestinal endoscopy using propofol as a sedative. Patient characteristics including past medical history, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and sleep disturbance were recorded through history taking and assessment using various questionnaires prior to the examination. The euphoric and sedative statuses were assessed at 30 min and 1 week post-examination.ResultsThe experimental results of a survey of 360 patients who underwent gastric or gastrointestinal endoscopy using propofol showed that the mean Morphine–Benzedrine Group (MBG) score before the procedure and after 30 min of the procedure was 4.23 and 8.67, respectively. The mean Pentobarbital–Chlorpromazine–Alcohol Group (PCAG) score before the procedure and after 30 min of the procedure was 3.24 and 6.22, respectively. These results showed that both MBG and PCAG scores increased significantly after the procedure. Certain factors, such as dreaming, propofol dose, duration of anesthesia, and etomidate dose, were all correlated with MBG both at 30 min and 1 week after the examination. In addition, etomidate had an effect of decreasing MBG scores and increasing PCAG scores both at 30 min and 1 week after the examination.ConclusionTaken together, propofol may elicit euphoria and potentially contribute to propofol addiction. There are several risk factors for the development of propofol addiction, including dreaming, propofol dose, duration of anesthesia, and etomidate dose. These findings suggest that propofol may have a euphoric effect and may have the potential for drug addiction and abuse

Dust aerosol optical depth retrieval and dust storm detection for Xinjiang Region using Indian National Satellite Observations

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) is located near the western border of China. Xinjiang has a high frequency of dust storms, especially in late winter and early spring. Geostationary satellite remote sensing offers an ideal way to monitor the regional distribution and intensity of dust storms, which can impact the regional climate. In this study observations from the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) 3D are used for dust storm detection in Xinjiang because of the frequent 30-min observations with six bands. An analysis of the optical properties of dust and its quantitative relationship with dust storms in Xinjiang is presented for dust events in April 2014. The Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) derived using six predefined aerosol types shows great potential to identify dust events. Cross validation between INSAT-3D retrieved AOD and MODIS AOD shows a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.92). Ground validation using AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) AOD also shows a good correlation with R2 of 0.77. We combined the apparent reflectance (top-of-atmospheric reflectance) of visible and shortwave infrared bands, brightness temperature of infrared bands and retrieved AOD into a new Enhanced Dust Index (EDI). EDI reveals not only dust extent but also the intensity. EDI performed very well in measuring the intensity of dust storms between 22 and 24 April 2014. A visual comparison between EDI and Feng Yun-2E (FY-2E) Infrared Difference Dust Index (IDDI) also shows a high level of similarity. A good linear correlation (R2 of 0.78) between EDI and visibility on the ground demonstrates good performance of EDI in estimating dust intensity. A simple threshold method was found to have a good performance in delineating the extent of the dust plumes but inadequate for providing information on dust plume intensity