BACKGROUND:Most of the silver coating materials prepared using active screen plasma technology in the past do not involve the nanotechnology field.The formed silver coating is in a"thin film"form,which is coated on the surface of the substrate,and the distribution of silver particles on the surface is uneven.Its long-term antibacterial ability is challenged. OBJECTIVE:To prepare nano silver coatings capable of being"buried"within stainless steel(SS)substrates using active screen plasma surface modification(ASPSM)and to observe antibacterial activity. METHODS:The nano-silver coating was prepared by ASPSM technique on stainless steel substrate.Three groups of coating samples were prepared by adjusting the bombardment time(1,2,and 4 hours),which were denoted as 1 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS and 4 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,respectively.The antibacterial activity of the coatings was analyzed by antibacterial ring test and Gram staining.The antibiotic coating samples of gentamicin combined with vancomycin were prepared by using stainless steel as substrate and were recorded as ACNs.Stainless steel,2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,and ACNs were inserted into Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa suspension,respectively.The long-acting(84 days)antibacterial activity of the samples was analyzed by coating plate method.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with stainless steel,2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,and ACNs,respectively.CCK-8 assay,dead/alive staining,and lactate dehydrogenase activity of cell supernatant were detected.Stainless steel,2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,and ACNs were taken after continuous exposure to Staphylococcus aureus suspension for 12 weeks.The amount of residual viable bacteria on the surface of the material was evaluated by spread plate method.Vancomycin drug sensitive disk method was used to evaluate the resistance of residual live bacteria on the surface of materials. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With increasing bombardment time,the diameter of nano silver on the sample surface and the silver content in the coating gradually increased.Among them,the 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS exhibited the highest surface silver content while forming uniformly spherical nanoparticles.(2)Antibacterial ring test and Gram staining results demonstrated that compared with 1 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS and 4 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS,the 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS exhibited better inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa.After co-culturing with bacteria for 42 and 84 days,the number of viable bacteria on the spread plate method was significantly lower in the 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS group compared to the stainless steel and ACNs groups.After co-culturing with Staphylococcus aureus for 84 days and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 42 days,the number of viable bacteria on the surface of the eluate from the ACNs group was higher than that of the stainless steel group.(3)CCK-8 assay,live/dead staining and lactate dehydrogenase activity of cell supernatant displayed that 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS did not have obvious cytotoxicity.ACNs showed obvious cytotoxicity.(4)After co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus for 12 weeks,the residual viable bacteria on the surface of 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS group was less than that of stainless steel group,and the residual viable bacteria on the surface of the ACNs group was more than that of stainless steel group.Compared with the stainless steel group,the sensitivity to vancomycin was significantly decreased in the ACNs group(P＜0.001),and there was no significant change in sensitivity to vancomycin in 2 h-Ag-ASPSM@SS group(P＞0.05).(5)The above results indicate that the silver nanoparticle coated stainless steel greatly improves the deposition efficiency of silver nanoparticles on the stainless steel surface and has long-lasting antibacterial properties and good cell compatibility.

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of autophagy and apoptosis induced by ultrafine carbon black in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells), and to study the intervention effect and mechanism of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on ultrafine carbon black-induced oxidative damage in BEAS-2B cells.Methods:In March 2023, BEAS-2B cells were used as research object, an in vitro airway model exposed to ultrafine carbon black was constructed. A control group and three carbon black exposure groups (50, 100, 200 μg/ml) were set up, and the cells were treated with corresponding concentrations of ultrafine carbon black for 24 hours. In addition, the experiment was divided into control group, NAC+ control group, 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group and NAC+ exposure group. The corresponding groups were treated with 2 mmol/L NAC for 1 h and 100 μg/ml ultrafine carbon black for 24 h, respectively. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by chemical fluorescence method. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), as well as the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by colorimetry. The mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy-related genes[Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B), p62 and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) ] and apoptosis-related genes [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase3, Caspase9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) ] were determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the control group, the relative survival rates of BEAS-2B cells in 50, 100, 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly decreased, the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly increased, and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The relative survival rate, ROS and MDA levels, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities were significantly correlated with the exposure dose of ultrafine carbon black ( rs=-0.755, 0.826, 0.934, -0.810, -0.880, -0.840, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, LC3B, p62, LAMP2, Bax, Caspase3, Caspase9, PARP1 mRNA and Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, LC3BⅡ, p62, LAMP2, Bax, cleaved Caspase3 (C-Caspase3), cleaved Caspase9 (C-Caspase9), cleaved PARP1 (C-PARP1) protein and the ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ in 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The changes of the above indexes were significantly correlated with the exposure dose of carbon black ( rs=0.892, 0.879, 0.944, 0.892, 0.828, 0.880, 0.814, 0.794, 0.931, 0.918, 0.813, 0.866, 0.774, 0.695, 0.918, 0.761, 0.794, 0.944, 0.833, 0.866, 0.905, -0.886, -0.748, P<0.05). Compared with 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group, the relative survival rate, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in NAC+exposure group were significantly increased, while the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased, and the relative expression levels of LC3B, p62 and Caspase3 mRNA and protein as well as the ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rates of BEAS-2B cells in 50, 100, 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and there was a significant positive correlation between ultrafine carbon black exposure dose and cell apoptosis rate ( rs=0.944, P<0.05). While compared with 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group, the apoptosis rate of NAC+exposure group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Cell autophagy and apoptosis may be important pathophysiological mechanisms of ultrafine carbon black-induced oxidative damage in BEAS-2B cells. NAC can alleviate the occurrence of BEAS-2B cell damage caused by ultrafine carbon black by regulating oxidative stress and the cascading autophagy and apoptosis pathways.

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism of autophagy and apoptosis induced by ultrafine carbon black in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells), and to study the intervention effect and mechanism of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on ultrafine carbon black-induced oxidative damage in BEAS-2B cells.Methods:In March 2023, BEAS-2B cells were used as research object, an in vitro airway model exposed to ultrafine carbon black was constructed. A control group and three carbon black exposure groups (50, 100, 200 μg/ml) were set up, and the cells were treated with corresponding concentrations of ultrafine carbon black for 24 hours. In addition, the experiment was divided into control group, NAC+ control group, 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group and NAC+ exposure group. The corresponding groups were treated with 2 mmol/L NAC for 1 h and 100 μg/ml ultrafine carbon black for 24 h, respectively. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by chemical fluorescence method. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), as well as the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by colorimetry. The mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy-related genes[Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B), p62 and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) ] and apoptosis-related genes [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase3, Caspase9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) ] were determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the control group, the relative survival rates of BEAS-2B cells in 50, 100, 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly decreased, the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly increased, and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The relative survival rate, ROS and MDA levels, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities were significantly correlated with the exposure dose of ultrafine carbon black ( rs=-0.755, 0.826, 0.934, -0.810, -0.880, -0.840, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, LC3B, p62, LAMP2, Bax, Caspase3, Caspase9, PARP1 mRNA and Atg5, Atg7, Beclin1, LC3BⅡ, p62, LAMP2, Bax, cleaved Caspase3 (C-Caspase3), cleaved Caspase9 (C-Caspase9), cleaved PARP1 (C-PARP1) protein and the ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ in 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The changes of the above indexes were significantly correlated with the exposure dose of carbon black ( rs=0.892, 0.879, 0.944, 0.892, 0.828, 0.880, 0.814, 0.794, 0.931, 0.918, 0.813, 0.866, 0.774, 0.695, 0.918, 0.761, 0.794, 0.944, 0.833, 0.866, 0.905, -0.886, -0.748, P<0.05). Compared with 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group, the relative survival rate, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in NAC+exposure group were significantly increased, while the levels of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased, and the relative expression levels of LC3B, p62 and Caspase3 mRNA and protein as well as the ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rates of BEAS-2B cells in 50, 100, 200 μg/ml carbon black exposure groups were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and there was a significant positive correlation between ultrafine carbon black exposure dose and cell apoptosis rate ( rs=0.944, P<0.05). While compared with 100 μg/ml carbon black exposure group, the apoptosis rate of NAC+exposure group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Cell autophagy and apoptosis may be important pathophysiological mechanisms of ultrafine carbon black-induced oxidative damage in BEAS-2B cells. NAC can alleviate the occurrence of BEAS-2B cell damage caused by ultrafine carbon black by regulating oxidative stress and the cascading autophagy and apoptosis pathways.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum recombinant sclerostin (SOST) and dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) levels and bone metabolism indexes in patients with osteoporosis after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery.Methods:A total of 110 patients diagnosed with osteoporosis after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery were recruited as the study group, and another 110 patients without osteoporosis diagnosed after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery were recruited as the control group. The general data, bone mineral density, serum SOST, DKK-1 levels and bone metabolism indicators N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), beta-isomerized C-telopeptide (β-CTX), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25- (OH) D3] levels were compared between the two groups. The correlation between serum SOST, DKK-1 levels and bone metabolism indexes was analyzed, and the risk factors affecting the formation of osteoporosis were explored.Results:The T value of bone mineral density in the study group (-3.27±0.92) was significantly lower than that in the control group (-1.23±0.27, t=22.32, P<0.001). The serum SOST (15.84±1.34, t=32.53, P<0.001) and DKK-1 (5.96±1.40, t=4.82, P<0.001) levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (SOST: 10.24±1.21, DKK-1: 5.05±1.40). The serum PINP (40.95±9.84, t=7.59, P<0.001), BALP (23.14±5.26, t=5.06, P<0.001) and β-CTX (1.07±0.54, t=4.96, P<0.001) in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (31.48±8.64, 19.64±4.99, 0.78±0.29), and the 25- (OH) D3 level (13.68±4.49) was significantly lower than that of the control group (18.31±5.72, t=6.68, P<0.001). Serum SOST was positively correlated with PINP ( r=0.33, P=0.001), BALP ( r=0.23, P=0.016) and β-CTX ( r=0.19, P=0.046), but not with 25- (OH) D3 ( r=-0.09, P=0.349). Serum DKK-1 was positively correlated with PINP ( r=0.19, P=0.044), BALP ( r=0.26, P=0.007) and β-CTX ( r=0.21, P=0.028), but not with 25- (OH) D3 ( r=-0.16, P=0.088). Serum SOST and DKK-1 levels were independent risk factors for osteoporosis (all P<0.05) . Conclusion:Serum SOST and DKK-1 levels are independent risk factors for the formation of osteoporosis, which are significantly positively correlated with bone metabolism indexes PINP, BALP, and β-CTX in patients with osteoporosis after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery.

The clinical data of 5 patients with occupational contact dermatitis caused by methyl chlorobutyrate treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College and Mamiao Township Hospital of Jinxiang County from September to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were all males aged 33-47 years with a history of exposure to methyl chlorobutyrate 1 to 4 d before the onset of symptoms. Three patients were hospitalized and 2 patients were treated in outpatient clinic. The clinical manifestations were erythema on the trunk or extremities of varying degrees, scattered with blisters and bullae of different sizes, with thin and clear blisters, local ulceration and exudation; no erosion or ulceration was found in the oral cavity and vulva. All 5 patients had elevated white blood cell counts, and 2 patients had abnormal liver function. All patients received symptomatic treatment with topical drugs. Three hospitalized patients were given methylprednisolone and loratadine; in addition, 1 case also received human immunoglobulin and moxifloxacin hydrochloride injection and 2 cases received hepatoprotective drugs. Two outpatients were given prednisone acetate and loratadine for treatment. Three hospitalized patients were all improved and discharged after 14-30 d of treatment. The rash of 2 outpatients subsided after 14 d of treatment, and there was no recurrence after 1-month follow-up. The occupational contact dermatitis caused by methyl chlorobutyrate is primary irritant contact dermatitis, often manifested as erythema and blisters on the trunk or limbs, and timely anti-allergic treatment can effectively control the disease.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between adiponectin gene polymorphism and osteoporosis in patients with differentiated thyroid after thyroid stimulating hormone (thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH) suppression therapy.Methods:A total of 79 patients who underwent resection of thyroid cancer and TSH suppression therapy were collected as research objects. After 5 years of follow-up, the bone mineral density of the patients was measured, and they were divided into normal bone mass group and osteoporosis group. The general data of the two groups of patients were compared, and the distribution frequencies of rs1063539, rs266729, rs3774261, and rs710445 genotypes in the two groups of patients were analyzed. The differences in bone mineral density of patients with different genotypes of rs1063539, rs266729, rs3774261, and rs710445 were analyzed. To explore the risk factors of osteoporosis in patients treated with TSH suppression after differentiated thyroid surgery.Results:General data analysis showed that the family history of osteoporosis ( P=0.021) and preoperative thyroid hormone status ( P=0.022) were significantly different between the two groups (all P<0.05). The genotype frequency deviations of rs1063539, rs266729, rs3774261, and rs710445 conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law. The distribution of the three genotypes of rs1063539 locus was significantly different between the two groups, and the bone mineral density T value of rs1063539 CC+CG genotype (-3.68±0.61) was significantly lower than that of GG type (-3.14±0.47) ( t=3.142, P=0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that no family history of osteoporosis was a protective factor for osteoporosis in patients with TSH suppression after thyroid cancer surgery ( OR: 0.258, OR 95%CI: 0.082-0.773, P=0.020). Preoperative hyperthyroidism ( OR: 2.203, OR 95%CI: 1.134-4.541, P=0.025) and rs1063539 CC+CG genotype ( OR: 4.392, OR 95%CI: 1.248-17.652, P=0.027) were the risk factors inducing osteoporosis. Conclusion:Adiponectin rs1063539 gene polymorphism is associated with bone mineral density in patients, and rs1063539 CC+CG genotype can increase the risk of osteoporosis in patients treated with TSH suppression after differentiated thyroid surgery.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)is a metabolic disease and a leading cause of heart failure among people with diabetes.Mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)is a versatile technique capable of combining the molecular specificity of mass spectrometry(MS)with the spatial information of imaging.In this study,we used MSI to visualize metabolites in the rat heart with high spatial resolution and sensitivity.We optimized the air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization(AFADESI)-MSI platform to detect a wide range of metabolites,and then used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization(MALDI)-MSI for increasing metabolic coverage and improving localization resolution.AFADESI-MSI detected 214 and 149 metabolites in positive and negative analyses of rat heart sections,respectively,while MALDI-MSI detected 61 metabolites in negative analysis.Our study revealed the heterogenous metabolic profile of the heart in a DCM model,with over 105 region-specific changes in the levels of a wide range of metabolite classes,including carbohydrates,amino acids,nucleotides,and their derivatives,fatty acids,glycerol phospholipids,carnitines,and metal ions.The repeated oral administration of ferulic acid during 20 weeks significantly improved most of the metabolic disorders in the DCM model.Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying DCM and the potential of ferulic acid as a therapeutic agent for treating this condition.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is one of the major causes of graft loss after transplantation. Recently, the regulation of B cell differentiation and the prevention of donor-specific antibody (DSA) production have gained increased attention in transplant research. Herein, we established a secondary allogeneic in vivo skin transplant model to study the effects of romidepsin (FK228) on DSA. The survival of grafted skins was monitored daily. The serum levels of DSA and the number of relevant immunocytes in the recipient spleens were evaluated by flow cytometry. Then, we isolated and purified B cells from B6 mouse spleens in vitro by magnetic bead sorting. The B cells were cultured with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and anti-clusters of differentiation 40 (CD40) antibody with or without FK228 treatment. The immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgM levels in the supernatant were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were conducted to determine the corresponding levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression in cultured cells and the recipient spleens. The results showed that FK228 significantly improved the survival of allogeneic skin grafts. Moreover, FK228 inhibited DSA production in the serum along with the suppression of histone deacetylase 1 (HADC1) and HDAC2 and the upregulation of the acetylation of histones H2A and H3. It also inhibited the differentiation of B cells to plasma cells, decreased the transcription of positive regulatory domain-containing 1 (Prdm1) and X-box-binding protein 1 (Xbp1), and decreased the expression of phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1 α (p-IRE1α), XBP1, and B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1). In conclusion, FK228 could decrease the production of antibodies by B cells via inhibition of the IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway. Thus, FK228 is considered as a promising therapeutic agent for the clinical treatment of AMR.
Animals ; Depsipeptides ; Endoribonucleases ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Skin Transplantation

The clinical data of 14 patients with niacin deficiency diagnosed and treated in Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from 2012 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 males and 3 females aged 26-65 years. The etiological factors were alcoholism in 8 cases, gastrointestinal disease in 3 cases, medication history in 1 case, and unknown etiology in 2 cases.Patients had typical skin lesions, 1 case also had both digestive system and nervous system symptoms, and 3 cases had combined digestive system symptoms and 2 cases had neurological symptoms. All patients were systematically treated with oral nicotinamide and vitamin B complex, and also with topical drugs; and they all improved after 14-52 days of treatment. During regular follow-up, 2 cases of alcoholics and 1 case with diarrhea had recurrence. It is suggested that the typical clinical triad of niacin deficiency is uncommon, and the diagnosis is based on the medical history, clinical manifestations and relevant laboratory test, and the treatment with nicotinamide and vitamin B complex is usually effective; alcoholism is the main cause in male patients and is prone to recurrence.

Detailed knowledge on tissue-specific metabolic reprogramming in diabetic nephropathy (DN) is vital for more accurate understanding the molecular pathological signature and developing novel therapeutic strategies. In the present study, a spatial-resolved metabolomics approach based on air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization (AFADESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) integrated mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was proposed to investigate tissue-specific metabolic alterations in the kidneys of high-fat diet-fed and streptozotocin (STZ)-treated DN rats and the therapeutic effect of astragaloside IV, a potential anti-diabetic drug, against DN. As a result, a wide range of functional metabolites including sugars, amino acids, nucleotides and their derivatives, fatty acids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerides, carnitine and its derivatives, vitamins, peptides, and metal ions associated with DN were identified and their unique distribution patterns in the rat kidney were visualized with high chemical specificity and high spatial resolution. These region-specific metabolic disturbances were ameliorated by repeated oral administration of astragaloside IV (100 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. This study provided more comprehensive and detailed information about the tissue-specific metabolic reprogramming and molecular pathological signature in the kidney of diabetic rats. These findings highlighted the promising potential of AFADESI and MALDI integrated MSI based metabolomics approach for application in metabolic kidney diseases.