Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a T-cell-mediated systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by synovium inflammation and articular destruction. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be effective in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. However, there has been thus far no report on umbilical cord (UC)-MSCs in the treatment of RA. Here, potential immunosuppressive effects of human UC-MSCs in RA were evaluated. Methods: The effects of UC-MSCs on the responses of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and T cells in RA patients were explored. The possible molecular mechanism mediating this immunosuppressive effect of UC-MSCs was explored by addition of inhibitors to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). The therapeutic effects of systemic infusion of human UC-MSCs on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in a mouse model were explored. Results: In vitro, UC-MSCs were capable of inhibiting proliferation of FLSs from RA patients, via IL-10, IDO and TGF-beta 1. Furthermore, the invasive behavior and IL-6 secretion of FLSs were also significantly suppressed. On the other hand, UC-MSCs induced hyporesponsiveness of T cells mediated by PGE2, TGF-beta 1 and NO and UC-MSCs could promote the expansion of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells from RA patients. More importantly, systemic infusion of human UC-MSCs reduced the severity of CIA in a mouse model. Consistently, there were reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory/regulatory cytokine (IL-10) in sera of UC-MSCs treated mice. Moreover, such treatment shifted Th1/Th2 type responses and induced Tregs in CIA. Conclusions: In conclusion, human UC-MSCs suppressed the various inflammatory effects of FLSs and T cells of RA in vitro, and attenuated the development of CIA in vivo, strongly suggesting that UC-MSCs might be a therapeutic strategy in RA. In addition, the immunosuppressive activitiy of UC-MSCs could be prolonged by the participation of Tregs.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000287517000020&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701RheumatologySCI(E)PubMed64ARTICLE6R2101

Crack healing in reactive MgO-slag system via bacteria induced carbonate precipitation

In the Concrete industry, the most widely used binding ingredient for concrete, portland cement (PC), is accountable for around 8% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) cement has been regarded as a promising alternative binding material for concrete production. It gains strength through carbonation curing, which results in lesser net CO2 emissions as compared to PC. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), which is a type of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), has also been employed in MgO mixes to reduce carbon footprint. Prevalence of cracks in concrete is a common issue and to prevent the expansion of them, proper and immediate treatment should be done. Traditional fixing methods such as cement grouting and maintenance are challenging and costly. Hence, it is more advisable and economical to prevent the formation of early age small cracks to larger width. To overcome these situations, self-healing concrete techniques via microbial approach are adopted. Biologic and self-healing concrete has become a promising solution, and regarded as cost effective and environmentally friendly possibly due to it being pollution free and natural for concrete repair. In this study, crack healing in reactive MgO-slag system was investigated via bacteria induced carbonate precipitation. Self-healing regimes such as alternating bacteria medium soaking and carbon dioxide curing cycles and alternating water and carbon dioxide cycles were adopted in this project. To characterise the healing effect, crack width measurement, resonant frequency test, sorptivity test and tensile test were conducted. It was found that bacteria had the ability to precipitate carbonates, which filled small cracks, stiffened the concrete, and reduced the permeability of damaged concrete.Bachelor of Engineering (Civil

A molecular switch via chemisorption of the Au6 cluster by cyclo [18] carbon: utilization of an external electric field

The Au6 cluster can produce a variety of adsorption conformation complexes with carbon materials by physical or chemical adsorption. Such complexes are potential molecular switches. The adsorption behavior of the newly reported pure carbon ring cyclo [18] carbon (C18) with transition metal Au6 clusters is investigated based on density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the complexes are chemically bonded and have two stable conformations. An applied electric field can achieve the interconversion of the two dominant conformations. Various wave function analyses showed that the formation of the complexes reduced the delocalization of the carbon ring π electrons, and there were significant differences in the electron transfer modes and infrared spectra of the two stable conformations. The formation of complexes reduces the intrinsic reactivity of both fragments and can play a role in stabilizing both C18 and Au6 clusters. This study has positive implications for revealing the microscopic nature of the chemical processes between metals and C18 in the transition region

Peer Attachment and Proactive Socialization Behavior: The Moderating Role of Social Intelligence

Proactive socialization involves an active attempt to integrate into an organization, which can help an individual complete the transition from student to employee. This study—conducted via a survey involving college graduates (one year after graduation)—explores the peer attachment influence mechanism on proactive socialization behaviors and the moderating effects of social intelligence. The results of the empirical analysis show that core self-evaluation has a mediating effect between peer attachment and individual proactive socialization behavior. Peer trust and peer communication can improve individual proactive socialization behavior by enhancing core self-evaluation, but peer alienation may reduce core self-evaluation and inhibit individual proactive socialization behavior in the workplace. Social intelligence has a moderating mediating role between peer attachment, core self-evaluation, and proactive socialization behavior. High social intelligence may enhance the indirect influence of peer trust and communication on proactive socialization behavior through core self-evaluation and weaken the indirect influence of peer alienation on proactive socialization behavior through core self-evaluation. In recruitment and selection, organizations can predict the proactive socialization behaviors of candidates by investigating their peer relationships, and can also strive to create a harmonious working atmosphere and relationship to help new employees integrate into the organization

Extraction of flavonoids from Spatholobus suberectus with deep eutectic solvent

In this study, deep eutectic solvents were used for the extraction of flavonoids from Spatholobus suberectus. The extraction effect was measured using UV spectrophotometer and found that the deep eutectic solvent consisting of choline chloride and triethylene glycol (1:2) was the best extraction. The solvent water content (%), liquid-to-material ratio (v/m), and extraction temperature (K) were optimized using the central composite bounded design response surface method in a single-factor experiment. The results showed that the extraction yield of chickweed flavonoids reached 96.01 (mg/g) at a liquid-to-material ratio of 39:1, a water content of 43% in DESs and an extraction temperature of 336.6 K for 5 min, which was 2.85 and 4.12 times higher than that of the control group (90 min extraction) using 60% ethanol and water, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazin-1-yl (DPPH) and it was found that the extracts inhibited DPPH by 89.765%, indicating the high content of flavonoids extracted. This study provides an idea for the extraction of functional components of biological origin

Temporal Changes in Multiple Ecosystem Services and Their Bundles Responding to Urbanization and Ecological Restoration in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Metropolitan Area

By 2050, 70% of the human population is likely to be living in cities, making urbanization an increasing global trend. Detecting changes in ecosystem services (ES) and their bundles in response to urbanization is critical for evaluating land-use policies. We examined changes in the provision of grains, vegetables, fruits, carbon sequestration, soil retention, sandstorm prevention, and water retention from 2000 to 2010 in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei metropolitan area, China; then, using a k-means cluster analysis, we classified 202 counties of this area into groups (bundles) based on their similar sets of ES. We found that (1) urban area, forestland, and grassland increased by 22%, 3.6%, and 1.7%, respectively, while cropland decreased by 4.6%; (2) the provision of grains, vegetables, and fruits increased by 24–90%, despite an overall loss in cropland; carbon storage and sand retention increased by 40% and 7%, respectively, while soil and water retention increased slightly by approx. 1% each; (3) 72 counties changed their ES bundles; and the “agriculture bundle„ dominated the landscape in 2000 while it decreased by 50% in 2010 and was mainly transformed to “sub-developed urban bundle„, indicating loss of cropland during that decade. The transformation of ES bundles can be used to understand the effects of urbanization. The study indicated that improved technologies and ecological restoration in rural areas can help sustain multiple ES in our rapidly urbanizing world