ZIP8 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis by increasing pathogenic T cell responses

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for immune responses. Therefore, changes in cellular zinc levels in specific immune cells may influence inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the regulation of zinc mobilization in immune cells and its role in the pathogenesis of RA are not fully understood. Thus, we investigated the roles of zinc transporters in RA pathogenesis. We demonstrated that ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in CD4⁺ T cells that infiltrated the inflamed joint and that ZIP8 deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells abrogated collagen-induced arthritis. ZIP8 deficiency dramatically affected zinc influx in effector T cells and profoundly reduced T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, including NF-κB and MAPK signaling, which are pathways that are involved in T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ZIP8 depletion in CD4⁺ T cells attenuates TCR signaling due to insufficient cellular zinc, thereby reducing the function of effector CD4⁺ T cells, including Th17 cells. Our results also suggest that targeting ZIP8 may be a useful strategy to inhibit RA development and pathogenesis.Subject terms: Autoimmunity, Immunological disorders     

Vibrational relaxation of diatomic molecules in condensed monatomic media

A model based on binary-like collisions is presented to describe the vibrational relaxation of diatomic molecules in a monatomic medium. For N₂Ar and COAr, it is shown that the oscillatory motion of host atoms undergoing multiquantrum processes is most important in removing vibrational energy. The translational motion of molecules confined to the cell space also contributes to the energy relaxation by removing the energy mismatch.     

Transformation of highly ordered large pore silica mesophases (Fm3m, Im3m and p6mm) in a ternary triblock copolymer-butanol-water system

Exceptional control of the phase behavior of highly ordered large pore mesostructured silica (with the choice of Fm3m, Im3m or p6mm symmetry) is achieved using a triblock copolymer (EO(106)PO(70)EO(106)) and butanol at low acid concentrations.     

Identification of new urinary metabolites of trimeprazine in rats by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The metabolites of trimeprazine were identified in urine of rats by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After the oral administration of trimeprazine, the urinary metabolites were extracted with diethyl ether before or after hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase. The identified metabolites were N-demethyltrimeprazine,3-hydroxytrimeprazine,N-demethyl-3-++ +hydroxytrimeprazine and trimeprazine sulphoxide.     

Mechanism of sorption of phenols from aqueous solutions onto surfactant-modified montmorillonite

Equilibrium and kinetic studies on the sorption of phenol, m-nitrophenol (m-NP), and o-cresol from water onto montmorillonite modified with cetyltrimethylammounium bromide (CTAB) were conducted. Experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, sorbate concentration, and temperature (25-55 degrees C). It was shown that the sorption capacity decreased in the order phenol>o-cresol>m-NP. The Langmuir, dual-mode sorption, and Redlich-Peterson models were tested to fit the sorption isotherms of single-solute systems, whereas the Langmuir competitive model was used to describe bisolute sorption equilibria. Thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees ) and the mean free energy (E) for the sorption of phenols were determined from the temperature dependence of the distribution constant and the Dubinin-Radushkevick equation, respectively. A simplified kinetic model was proposed to confirm the sorption mechanism.     

Efficient photochemical oxetane formation from 1-methyl-2,4,5-triphenylimidazole and benzophenones

In contrast to simple imidazoles, 1-methy1–2,4,5-triphenylimidazole ($\text{1}$) produced stable oxetane photoadducts $\text{3b}$ - $\text{e}$ with good efficiency upon irradiation in the presence of benzophenone derivatives $\text{2b}$ - $\text{e}$ in acetonitrile solution. Irradiation in the solid-phase was also studied. The oxetanes $\text{3b}$ - $\text{e}$ readily underwent cycloreversion by acid catalysis or by heating.     

Facile generation of platinum(IV) compounds with mixed labile moieties. Hydrogen peroxide oxidation of platinum(II) to platinum(IV) compounds

Hydrogen peroxide oxidation of platinum(II) compounds containing labile groups such as Cl, OH, and alkene moieties has been carried out and the products characterized. The reactions of [Pt^II (X)₂ (N–N)] (X = Cl, OH, X₂ = isopropylidenemalorate (ipm); N–N 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine [(dmpda), N-isopropyl-1,3-propanediamine (ippda)] with hydrogen peroxide in an appropriate solvent at room temperature affords [Pt^IV (OH)(Y)(X)₂(N–N)] (Y = OH, OCH₃). The crystal structures of [Pt^IV(OH)(OCH₃)(Cl)₂(dmpda)]·2H₂O (P-1 bar, a = 6.339(2) Å , b = 9.861(1) Å, c = 11.561(1) Å, a = 92.078(9)°, β = 104.78(1)°, γ=100.54(1)°, V = 684.3(2) ų, Z = 2R = 0.0503) and [Pt^IV(OH)₂(ipm)(ippda)]·3H₂O (C 2/c, a = 27.275(6) Å, b=6.954(2) Å, c = 22.331(4) Å, β = 118.30(2)°, V = 3729(2) ų, Z = 8, R = 0.0345) have been solved and refined. The local geometry around the platinum(IV) atom approximates to a typical octahedral arrangement with two added groups (OH and OCH₃; OH and OH) in a transposition. The platinum(IV) compounds with potential labile moieties may be important intermediate species for further reactions.     

Thermal characterization and thermal degradation of poly(norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dialkyl esters) synthesized by vinyl addition polymerization

The thermal properties and degradation behaviors of poly(norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dialkyl esters) (PNB-dialkyl esters) (alkyl = Me (PNB-Me), Et (PNB-Et), Pr (PNB-Pr), and Bu (PNB-Bu)) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in dynamic conditions and by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The PNB-dialkyl esters show good thermal stability up to 350 °C, and the thermal stability decreases in the order Me > Et > Pr > Bu with the increase in size of side chain. The effect of side-chain size on the thermal degradation behaviors of PNB-dialkyl esters is evidenced by one-step thermal degradation profile for PNB-Me while two-step thermal degradation profile for PNB-Et, PNB-Pr, and PNB-Bu. Transformation is deduced to undergo β-hydrogen elimination and formation of anhydride group in the first stage of thermal degradation reaction according to TGA and IR results for PNB-Et, PNB-Pr, and PNB-Bu. The apparent activation energy and thermal degradation model of PNB-dialkyl esters are estimated by means of Ozawa-Flynn-wall method and Phadnis-Deshpande method, respectively.     

Clinical significance of molecular genetic changes in sporadic invasive pituitary adenomas

Several molecular and genetic changes have been found in pituitary adenomas. We looked for correlations between these changes and the degree of invasiveness of the tumors. The invasiveness of 11 pituitary adenomas was graded by Hardy classification. We examined the retinoblastoma gene (RB1.20 on chromosome 13q) and the region around the MEN1 locus (chromosome 11q13.1-5) for loss of heterozygosity. Also examined are p53 mutations using single strain conformation polymorphism, p53 protein overexpression using immuno cytochemistry, homozygous deletions of p15 and p16 by polymerase chain reaction, and cellular proliferative activity using MIB-1 antibody. Six tumors (54.5%) had an LOH at either RB1.20 or the MEN1 locus. LOHs were found more frequently in Grade 4 and stage E tumors (72% and 67%) than in Grade 3 and stage D tumors (25% and 40%). However, no mutation or overexpression of p53 was found. No homozygous deletions of p15 or p16 were identified. The cell proliferative index ranged from 0 to 3%. LOH at 11q13 and 13q may be valuable in predicting the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.