Dermatophagoides farinae microRNAs released to external environments via exosomes regulate inflammation-related gene expression in human bronchial epithelial cells

BackgroundDermatophagoides farinae (DFA) is an important species of house dust mites (HDMs) that causes allergic diseases. Previous studies have focused on allergens with protein components to explain the allergic effect of HDMs; however, there is little knowledge on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the allergic effect of HDMs. This study aimed to unravel the new mechanism of dust mite sensitization from the perspective of cross-species transport of extracellular vesicles-encapsulated miRNAs from HDMs.MethodsSmall RNA (sRNA) sequencing was performed to detect miRNAs expression profiles from DFA, DFA-derived exosomes and DFA culture supernatants. A quantitative fluorescent real-time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect miRNAs expression in dust specimens. BEAS-2B cells endocytosed exosomes were modeled in vitro to detect miRNAs from DFA and the expression of related inflammatory factors. Representative dfa-miR-276-3p and dfa-novel-miR2 were transfected into BEAS-2B cells, and then differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by RNA sequencing. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) terms enrichment analyses were performed on the first 300 nodes of DEGs.ResultssRNA sequencing identified 42 conserved miRNAs and 66 novel miRNAs in DFA, DFA-derived exosomes, and DFA culture supernatants. A homology analysis was performed on the top 18 conserved miRNAs with high expression levels. The presence of dust mites and miRNAs from HDMs in living environment were also validated. Following uptake of DFA-derived exosomes by BEAS-2B cells, exosomes transported miRNAs from DFA to target cells and produced pro-inflammatory effects in corresponding cells. RNA sequencing identified DEGs in dfa-miR-276-3p and dfa-novel-miR2 transfected BEAS-2B cells. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed the role of exosomes with cross-species transporting of DFA miRNAs in inflammatory signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and IL-6-mediated signaling pathway.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the miRNAs expression profiles in DFA for the first time. The DFA miRNAs are delivered into living environments via exosomes, and engulfed by human bronchial epithelial cells, and cross-species regulation may contribute to inflammation-related processes

Removal of Aluminum Foil from Lithium-ion Battery Cathode in the Recycling Process

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are instrumental to a renewable future, but environmentally friendly methods of recycling must be developed. Aluminum foil is used as the current collector, and it must be removed prior to hydrometallurgical recycling to ensure the recovery of valuable metals. Current methods use organic solvents to remove the organic binder, which serves as an adhesive link between the aluminum foil and cathode material; alkaline leaching of aluminum foil; and thermal separation. We used 2.5 M NaOH leaching to determine the mass percentage of aluminum present in 18650 battery cathodes and looked to replace NaOH with compounds of lower toxicity. Reagent solutions were poured to barely immerse the cathode samples, which were often folded to reduce volume. Our results found that the mass percentage of aluminum in the cathode strip was 2.55% and reactions only happen under high pH conditions (pH \u3e 13). The reaction is indicated by the release of hydrogen gas, and the duration is upwards of 20 minutes. Future studies should focus on finding new reagents that would be lower in toxicity, price, and time to ensure the efficient removal of aluminum

A multi-discretization scheme for topology optimization based on the parameterized level set method

In the framework of the parameterized level set method, the structural analysis and topology representation can be implemented in a decoupling way. A parameterized level set function, typically, using radial basis functions (RBFs), is a linear combination of a set of prescribed RBFs and coefficients. Once the coefficients are determined, the theoretical level set function is determined. Exploiting this inherent property, we propose a multi-discretization method based on the parameterized level set method. In this approach, a coarse discretization is applied to do the structural analysis whereas another dense discretization is employed to represent the structure topology. As a result, both efficient analysis and high-resolution topological design are available. Note that the dense discretization only accounts for a more precise and smooth description of the theoretical level set function rather than introduce extra design freedom or incur interference to structural analysis or the optimization process. In other words, this decoupling way will not add to the computational burden of structural analysis or result in non-uniqueness of converged results for a particular analysis setting. Numerical examples in both two-dimension and three-dimension show effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method

Application of Clustering Algorithms in the Location of Electric Taxi Charging Stations

The reasonable layout of charging stations is an important measure to improve the penetration rate of the electric taxi market. Based on the multi-type clustering algorithm, a widely applicable electric taxi charging stations locating method is proposed. By analyzing the massive gasoline taxi GPS trajectory data, the parking information and charging requirements of electric taxis are extracted, and the research area is divided into reasonable grids. Then, the divided grids are respectively subjected to multiple same-type clustering and multiple multi-type clustering algorithms, so as to help find out the location of the charging station, and a comparative analysis is performed. The empirical analysis shows that the positioning results of the multiple multi-type clustering algorithms are more reasonable than the multiple same-type clustering algorithms, which can effectively prolong the driving distance of electric taxis and save the travel time of drivers

Benefits of Nano-Powder Transformer Core

Transformers are important for modern society. Without transformers, using electric power is impossible; however, most mid- and small-sized transformers have poor efficiency. These range anywhere between 50-75% efficiency, depending on the total power and magnetic core materials used. The lack of output stems mainly from an energy loss called the eddy current loss. Reducing the eddy current loss, by increasing the permeability of core materials and reducing their electrical resistance, are two major goals for many researchers in this area. A common way to reduce the eddy current loss is to make a laminated core with insulator film surface of each laminated sheet. The laminated sheet reduces the eddy current loss a great deal, but there is still some considerable ohm heat loss. Another idea being explored is the use of nano particles to build the core. This method was utilized here with the awareness that, first, nano-powder core materials cannot be easily made, and, second, coating these particles with some form of insulated materials is not simple, either. In this project, two different sub-nano materials were used to make the core. One was Iron oxide (Fe3O4), and the other one was pure iron. Neither are classified as nano particles but come very close, and were therefore an appropriate substitution in lieu of other nano particles. A transformer core was successfully made from Iron oxide, and the performance of the transformer was tested. A simple test core of pure ion powder was also made and tested. The iron oxide purchased and used here did not give the results predicted, due to its permeability being too low. For the pure iron powder, insulation coating on particles was not good enough, so the eddy current loss was higher than we hoped. Essentially, the project was not successful with the materials we had at hand. We learned that the process of successfully coating nano or sub-nano powder itself is a research topic worth pursuing. Furthermore, finding a way to determine the core material’s magnetic permeability may greatly reduce limiting factors in the development of nano and sub-nano powder cores in the future

Biomarkers Correlated with Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There is a need to identify alternative biomarkers to predict tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment response because observing the incidence decline renders a long follow-up period. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to 9 February 2023. The biomarker levels during preventive treatment were quantitatively summarized by means of meta-analysis using the random-effect model. Results: Eleven eligible studies, published during 2006–2022, were included in the meta-analysis, with frequently heterogeneous results. Twenty-six biomarkers or testing methods were identified regarding TB preventive treatment monitoring. The summarized standard mean differences of interferon-γ (INF-γ) were −1.44 (95% CI: −1.85, −1.03) among those who completed preventive treatment (τ2 = 0.21; I2 = 95.2%, p 2 = 0.13; I2 = 82.0%, p < 0.001), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the INF-γ level after treatment decreased significantly from baseline among studies with high TB burden (−0.98, 95% CI: −1.21, −0.75) and among those with a history of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination (−0.87, 95% CI: −1.10, −0.63). Conclusions: Our results suggested that decreased INF-γ was observed among those who completed preventive treatment but not in those without preventive treatment. Further studies are warranted to explore its value in preventive treatment monitoring due to limited available data and extensive between-study heterogeneity

Environmental Activism

Our project is to organize a march and a summit for the environment. This would all be led by student leaders and our main audience would also be students, as it’s important to educate them on the issues of climate change. Our plan is to have local student leaders talk about their progress working with schools, organizations, and municipalities to bring tangible, sustainable change to their communities. We aim to inspire other students and help them realize that anyone can participate in climate activism. We will hold this event in Aurora and work with the City of Aurora to make it happen

Exosomes Derived from Dermatophagoides farinae Induce Allergic Airway Inflammation

ABSTRACT House dust mites (HDMs) are a major source of indoor allergens that cause airway allergic disease. Dermatophagoides farinae, a predominant species of HDMs in China, has demonstrated pathogenic role in allergic disorders. Exosomes derived from human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid have been strongly associated with allergic respiratory diseases progression. However, the pathogenic role of D. farinae-derived exosomes in allergic airway inflammation has remained unclear until now. Here, D. farinae was stirred overnight in phosphate-buffered saline, and the supernatant was used to extract exosomes by ultracentrifugation. Then, shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and small RNA sequencing were performed to identify proteins and microRNAs contained in D. farinae exosomes. Immunoblotting, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated the specific immunoreactivity of D. farinae-specific serum IgE antibody against D. farinae exosomes, and D. farinae exosomes were found to induce allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model. In addition, D. farinae exosomes invaded 16-HBE bronchial epithelial cells and NR8383 alveolar macrophages to release the inflammation-related cytokines interleukin-33 (IL-33), thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6, and comparative transcriptomic analysis of 16-HBE and NR8383 cells revealed that immune pathways and immune cytokines/chemokines were involved in the sensitization of D. farinae exosomes. Taken together, our data demonstrate that D. farinae exosomes are immunogenic and may induce allergic airway inflammation via bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. IMPORTANCE Dermatophagoides farinae, a predominant species of house dust mites in China, has displayed pathogenic role in allergic disorders, and exosomes derived from human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid have been strongly associated with allergic respiratory diseases progression. However, the pathogenic role of D. farinae-derived exosomes in allergic airway inflammation has remained unclear until now. This study, for the first time, extracted exosomes from D. farinae, and sequenced their protein cargo and microRNAs using shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and small RNA sequencing. D. farinae-derived exosomes trigger allergen-specific immune responses and present satisfactory immunogenicity, as revealed by immunoblotting, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and may induce allergic airway inflammation via bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. Our data provide insights into the mechanisms of allergic airway inflammation caused with D. farinae-derived exosomes and the treatment of house dust mite-induced allergic airway inflammation

Research Progress in Ordered Nanomaterials via Magnetic Field Induced Preparation

Ordered nanomaterials are widely concerned for their excellent performance in mechanics, electricity, optics and magnetism. Magnetic field induced self-assembly is widely used for the preparation of ordered nanomaterials, which has the advantages of indirect contact with the reaction system, controllable adjustment of magnetic field. By using this preparation method, it can realize the alignment of nanomaterials without affecting the comprehensive performance of each component in the system. In this paper, we reviewed magnetic field induced self-assembly of metal nanomaterials, oxide nanomaterials and nanocomposites. We also looked forward to the future research direction