Rapid Mobilization Research Articles

Resolvin E1 accelerates pulp repair by regulating inflammation and stimulating dentin regeneration in dental pulp stem cells

BackgroundUnresolved inflammation and tissue destruction are considered to underlie the failure of dental pulp repair. As key mediators of the injury response, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) play a critical role in pulp tissue repair and regeneration. Resolvin E1 (RvE1), a major dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acid metabolite, is effective in resolving inflammation and activating wound healing. However, whether RvE1 facilitates injured pulp-tissue repair and regeneration through timely resolution of inflammation and rapid mobilization of DPSCs is unknown. Therefore, we established a pulp injury model and investigated the effects of RvE1 on DPSC-mediated inflammation resolution and injured pulp repair.MethodsA pulp injury model was established using 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after pulp capping with a collagen sponge immersed in PBS with RvE1 or PBS. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunohistofluorescence were used to evaluate the prohealing properties of RvE1. hDPSCs were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response, and the expression of inflammatory factors after RvE1 application was measured. Effects of RvE1 on hDPSC proliferation, chemotaxis, and odontogenic differentiation were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, and quantitative PCR, and possible signaling pathways were explored using western blotting.ResultsIn vivo, RvE1 reduced the necrosis rate of damaged pulp and preserved more vital pulps, and promoted injured pulp repair and reparative dentin formation. Further, it enhanced dentin matrix protein 1 and dentin sialoprotein expression and accelerated pulp inflammation resolution by suppressing TNF-α and IL-1β expression. RvE1 enhanced the recruitment of CD146+ and CD105+ DPSCs to the damaged molar pulp mesenchyme. Isolated primary cells exhibited the mesenchymal stem cell immunophenotype and differentiation. RvE1 promoted hDPSC proliferation and chemotaxis. RvE1 significantly attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) release and enhanced ALP activity, nodule mineralization, and especially, expression of the odontogenesis-related genes DMP1, DSPP, and BSP in LPS-stimulated DPSCs. RvE1 regulated AKT, ERK, and rS6 phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated DPSCs.ConclusionsRvE1 promotes pulp inflammation resolution and dentin regeneration and positively influences the proliferation, chemotaxis, and differentiation of LPS-stimulated hDPSCs. This response is, at least partially, dependent on AKT, ERK, and rS6-associated signaling in the inflammatory microenvironment. RvE1 has promising application potential in regenerative endodontics.

Transradial Embolization, an Underused Type of Uterine Artery Embolization Approach: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: The most utilized approach for the embolization of uterine arteries is the transfemoral path. However, the transradial approach (TRA) has been gaining popularity among cardiologic interventions in the last years but only few studies have shown its applicability in uterine myoma treatment. The objective of this paper is to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of TRA when compared with the transbrachial, transulnar or transfemoral approach (TFA) for uterine arteries embolization (UAE). Materials and methods: A systematic review of the literature that analyzes the TRA for UAE it was carried out, in order to assess its safety and effectiveness. It was systematically searched the literature (Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Embase) using the words “uterine artery embolization”/“uterine embolization” and “transradial”/“radial”. All the relevant papers published until March 2020 were retrieved and analyzed. Results: Ten studies were considered eligible for this topic. TRA is a comparable method with TFA for uterine artery embolization. Conclusions: These studies allowed us to conclude that TRA is as safe and efficient as TFA. Its advantages include few complications, shorter hospitalization period, and rapid mobilization but a steeper learning curve has the disadvantage of a longer learning curve compared to TFA. Yet, these findings are built on few reports and more research is needed.

Income-related health inequalities associated with the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa: A decomposition analysis

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in an enormous dislocation of society especially in South Africa. The South African government has imposed a number of measures aimed at controlling the pandemic, chief being a nationwide lockdown. This has resulted in income loss for individuals and firms, with vulnerable populations (low earners, those in informal and precarious employment, etc.) more likely to be adversely affected through job losses and the resulting income loss. Income loss will likely result in reduced ability to access healthcare and a nutritious diet, thus adversely affecting health outcomes. Given the foregoing, we hypothesize that the economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus will disproportionately affect the health of the poor.MethodsUsing the fifth wave of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) dataset conducted in 2017 and the first wave of the NIDS-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) dataset conducted in May/June 2020, this paper estimated income-related health inequalities in South Africa before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health was a dichotomized self-assessed health measure, with fair and poor health categorized as “poor” health, while excellent, very good and good health were categorized as “better” health. Household per capita income was used as the ranking variable. Concentration curves and indices were used to depict the income-related health inequalities. Furthermore, we decomposed the COVID-19 era income-related health inequality in order to ascertain the significant predictors of such inequality.ResultsThe results indicate that poor health was pro-poor in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, with the latter six times the value of the former. Being African (relative to white), per capita household income and household experience of hunger significantly predicted income-related health inequalities in the COVID-19 era (contributing 130%, 46% and 9% respectively to the inequalities), while being in paid employment had a nontrivial but statistically insignificant contribution (13%) to health inequality.ConclusionsGiven the significance and magnitude of race, hunger, income and employment in determining socioeconomic inequalities in poor health, addressing racial disparities and hunger, income inequality and unemployment will likely mitigate income-related health inequalities in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A novel small molecule CXCR4 antagonist potently mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells in mice and monkeys

BackgroundHematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is an effective treatment strategy for many types of diseases. Peripheral blood (PB) is the most commonly used source of bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells for current HSC transplantation. However, PB usually contains very few HSCs under normal conditions, as these cells are normally retained within the BM. This retention depends on the interaction between the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expressed on the HSCs and its natural chemokine ligand, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α (also named CXCL12) present in the BM stromal microenvironment. In clinical practice, blocking this interaction with a CXCR4 antagonist can induce the rapid mobilization of HSCs from the BM into the PB.MethodsC3H/HEJ, DBA/2, CD45.1+, and CD45.2+ mice and monkeys were employed in colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, flow cytometry assays, and competitive/noncompetitive transplantation assays, to assess the short-term mobilization efficacy of HF51116 and the long-term repopulating (LTR) ability of HSCs. Kinetics of different blood cells and the concentration of HF51116 in PB were also explored by blood routine examinations and pharmacokinetic assays.ResultsIn this paper, we report that a novel small molecule CXCR4 antagonist, HF51116, which was designed and synthesized by our laboratory, can rapidly and potently mobilize HSCs from BM to PB in mice and monkeys. HF51116 not only mobilized HSCs when used alone but also synergized with the mobilizing effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after co-administration. Following mobilization by HF51116 and G-CSF, the long-term repopulating (LTR) and self-renewing HSCs were sufficiently engrafted in primary and secondary lethally irradiated mice and were able to rescue and support long-term mouse survival. In monkeys, HF51116 exhibited strong HSC mobilization activity and quickly reached the highest in vivo blood drug concentration.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that HF51116 is a new promising stem cell mobilizer which specifically targets CXCR4 and merits further preclinical and clinical studies.

Modeling epidemic spread in transportation networks: A review

The emergence of novel infectious diseases has become a serious global problem. Convenient transportation networks lead to rapid mobilization in the context of globalization, which is an important factor underlying the rapid spread of infectious diseases. Transportation systems can cause the transmission of viruses during the epidemic period, but they also support the reopening of economies after the epidemic. Understanding the mechanism of the impact of mobility on the spread of infectious diseases is thus important, as is establishing the risk model of the spread of infectious diseases in transportation networks. In this study, the basic structure and application of various epidemic spread models are reviewed, including mathematical models, statistical models, network-based models, and simulation models. The advantages and limitations of model applications within transportation systems are analyzed, including dynamic characteristics of epidemic transmission and decision supports for management and control. Lastly, research trends and prospects are discussed. It is suggested that there is a need for more in-depth research to examine the mutual feedback mechanism of epidemics and individual behavior, as well as the proposal and evaluation of intervention measures. The findings in this study can help evaluate disease intervention strategies, provide decision supports for transport policy during the epidemic period, and ameliorate the deficiencies of the existing system.

Global Nuclear (Back-Up) Hotline: Building Communication Norms Across NC2

ABSTRACT So far nuclear-armed states failed to create a global security framework that could improve global security and reduce the role of nuclear threat in relations between nuclear-armed states. All nine nuclear-armed states are engaged in nuclear weapons development and modernization aiming at diversity, precision, rapid mobilization and survivability, thereby increasing the probability of swift crisis escalation between nuclear-armed adversaries endangering the security of entire international community. Amid this weapons development and modernization, lack of and weak lines of communication between nuclear-armed adversaries during crises is crucial to work on as this could bring the world perilously close to sailing directly into the headwinds of nuclear war. The importance of building and maintaining communication between nuclear-armed states during crises is indisputable. Hence, building an information flow via a backup hotline among supreme nuclear commanders based on agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its operation could serve to reduce nuclear risk should it ever be needed. This hotline will socialize nuclear commanders and national leaders to be ready to: 1) disentangle communication during crises from domestic political pressures by practicing agreed SOPs of hotline before a crisis occurs, 2) build confidence among nuclear-armed states – and the international system in general – that the means to control escalation exists, even if the political will is lagging, and 3) open opportunities for nuclear-armed states to broaden their discussion from the specifics of a nuclear hotline to the need to develop new norms that cover the entire nuclear command-and- control system.

Cost Analysis of Vaginal Hysterectomy as Compared to Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy for Non-prolapse Uterus in a Tertiary Institution in South Africa

<i>Background</i>: Many hysterectomies are now performed by laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) technique. To establish LAVH as a routine procedure remains controversial, partly because of concerns about the cost. We studied hospital charges and cost of LAVH as compared to vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for non-prolapse uterus in clinically similar groups of patients. <i>Study design</i>: This was a cross-sectional analytic study, covering a period of two years. This study was undertaken at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), to determine the direct hospital costs between the two surgical techniques VH and LAVH respectively. Women admitted for hysterectomy for benign uterine conditions, were enrolled in the study. Criteria for inclusion were uterine size less than 12 weeks gestation, width ≤ 9 cm and length ≤ 14 cm on ultrasound examination. Clinical ovarian pathology and uterine prolapse were criteria for exclusion. Patients were recruited from the unit records and divided into two groups matched with respect to age, parity, and indications for hysterectomy. Vaginal hysterectomy was performed in 60 patients out of the 100 patients included in the study, and 40 patients underwent LAVH. <i>Results</i>: All cases were successfully performed with no need to convert to the abdominal route. The time required for LAVH was significantly longer as compared to VH: 64, 0 v 31,3 minutes respectively (p<0.001). The postoperative hospital stay days and opiate injections required were both not significantly different between the VH and LAVH groups. Longer operating time and, as well as the expenses of the equipment to perform LAVH, were the main sources of additional cost in LAVH. The average hospital charges were significantly higher in LAVH as compared to VH (p<0.001). <i>Conclusion</i>: Both techniques offer the same benefits of shorter hospital stay, less analgesia needed, rapid mobilisation, and early discharge. However, VH was found to be least costly, mainly due to significant less operative time. LAVH is significantly costlier, mainly due to expensive laparoscopic devices and afore-mentioned long operation time.

Step-by-Step Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement: the RAT Approach.

In the growing era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, it is crucial to develop minimally invasive surgical techniques. These methods enable easier recovery from surgical trauma, especially in elderly and frail patients. Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) is frequently performed via upper hemisternotomy. We describe MIAVR via right anterior thoracotomy, which is associated with less trauma, rapid mobilization, lower blood transfusion rates, and lower risk of postoperative wound infections. As minimally invasive procedures tend to take longer operative times, we suggest using rapid-deployment valve prostheses to overcome this limitation. This description focuses on the technical aspects and preoperative assessment.

Rapid cyclic ion mobility separations of monosaccharide building blocks as a first step toward a high-throughput reaction screening platform for carbohydrate syntheses.

Herein we present a new high-throughput screening method for carbohydrate syntheses based on cyclic ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (cIMS-MS)-based separations. We rapidly resolved the α/β anomers for carbohydrates with varying protecting groups after only 5 m of cIMS-MS separation and also detected their respective unwanted anomeric impurities at levels lower than 2%. All experiments were performed in 1 minute of total acquisition time demonstrating our method's high-throughput nature. Our methodology was also extended to the separation of an isomeric mixtures of two protected disaccharides illustrating its utility beyond only monosaccharides. We envision our presented workflow as a first step toward the development of a high-throughput screening platform for the rapid and sensitive detection of α/β anomeric selectivities and for trace isomeric/isobaric impurities.

Large-Scale Scientific Computing in the Fight Against COVID-19

U.S. computing leaders, including the National Science Foundation, have partnered with universities, government agencies, and the private sector to accelerate research into responses to COVID-19—providing an unprecedented collection of resources that include some of the fastest computers in the world. This article expands on last month's Leadership Computing article by continuing to showcase the range of contributions that the national cyberinfrastructure is making global efforts to stop the pandemic. This article touches on research efforts to learn how SARS-CoV-2 spreads among different populations, the biology and structure of the virus, and its mechanisms of infection, and to develop effective vaccines for prevention and antiviral therapies for treatment. Even though we are still early in the process of developing an effective therapeutic response, the rapid mobilization of the national research cyberinfrastructure is a timely reminder of the strategic importance of robust, ongoing investments in large-scale scientific computing.

Evaluation of the Clinical and Functional Outcome of the Patients with Intertrochanteric Fractures Treated with a Proximal Femoral Nail in Northern Tanzania

Background: Hip fracture is common and it is escalating, lead to one-fifth of the orthopedic operative work and it is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and leads to a burden to the health care system while over half of the patient does not returns to premorbid mobility status. The goal of the treatment is to attain anatomical reduction with internal fixation to facilitate rapid mobilization of the patient and prevent morbidity and mortality. This study intends to establish the clinical and functional outcome of the patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with a proximal femoral nail. Method: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at KCMC from January 2018 to November 2019 involving a total of 92 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who were called and evaluated for clinical and functional outcome using Harris score after treatment thereafter data was analyzed. Result: This study included a total of 92 study participants, 63.1% were males with a mean age of 55years, the majority come from rural areas 58.7% and had a longer hospital stay of > 14days 51.4%, simple fall was the common cause of injury 41.3%, while the majority had excellent hip status 42.4%, good hip status was 28.5%, fair hip status was 10.8%. In this study, 76.1% had appropriate implant position, 18.5% had screw cut out, 81.5 had fracture union, 82.6% had proper fracture reduction, apex distance was less than 25 mm in 77.2% and 81.5% had 120 – 135 degrees diaphyseal angle, the main leading complication 9.8%, followed by reoperation 6.5%, 9.8% had fascia late pain, 8.7% had acetabula penetration//irritation, death was 4.3%, periprosthetic was fracture 3.3% and, 6.50% had limb discrepancy shortening. Conclusion: Therefore, the proximal femoral nail is a better method of intertrochanteric fracture fixation with a good both clinic and function outcome and minimal complication after the operation.

Exercise to Support Optimal Immune Function

Exercise to Support Optimal Immune Function

Fuzzy Adaptive Hysteresis of RSS for Handover Decision in V2V VANET

A communication technology which enables the information exchanges between vehicles to support intelligent transportation system is the characteristic of vehicular ad hoc network (VANET). The vast applications of VANET including transportation safety, traffic management, and passenger amenities are also followed by some technical challenges. The rapid topology changes and high nodes mobility are the main source of the challenges. One of the prominent challenges is the handover decision, especially in vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication. In this paper, handover decision method for V2V VANET is proposed using fuzzy system. The proposed method adjusts the value of received signal strength (RSS) hysteresis adaptively using fuzzy system so that the proposed handover decision method is called fuzzy adaptive hysteresis (FAH). To adjust the value of hysteresis, fuzzy system utilizes RSS value, speed difference, and connected time as the input. Based on the simulation results, the proposed method can reduce handover rate as well as maintaining the higher value of signal to noise ratio (SNR) average.

The Effect of Age and Activity Level on Stem Subsidence in Total Hip Arthroplasty

AbstractThe average length of hospital stay (LOS) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is decreasing due to a variety of factors, including rapid patient mobilization. With increased early joint loading, certain populations, such as those with low systemic bone mineral density, may be at an increased risk for early stem instability. The purpose of this study was to determine whether activity level and patient age affect femoral stem stability and early subsidence. We retrospectively reviewed 821 patients who underwent primary cementless THA. Two cohorts were established based on LOS as a proxy for activity: (1) same calendar day discharge (SDD) and (2) multiple day stay (MDS). Descriptive patient characteristics as well as surgical and clinical data including surgical time, stem alignment, and Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) scores were collected. Stem subsidence was assessed by comparing immediate postoperative radiographs with follow-up radiographs taken no less than 3 months after surgery (9.79 ± 6.50 months). Our sample population consisted of 255 SDD (31%) and 566 MDS (69%) patients. Stem subsidence rate was significantly lower in the SDD than the MDS group (0.916 vs. 1.80 mm, p &lt; 0.001). Increasing age was associated with a higher rate of stem subsidence (β = 0.823, p &lt; 0.001). Increased LOS was also associated with increased age (odds ratio = 1.092, p &lt; 0.001). Higher postoperative mobility determined by AM-PAC scores was not associated with shorter LOS (p = 0.630). The result of this study showed increased activity level does not increase rate of subsidence in THA patients, which supports the safety and efficacy of expedited recovery programs. Increased age was found to increase stem subsidence regardless of LOS.

Mobility in Public Spaces of Small Towns in the Czech Republic

The aim of this paper is to provide information about Mobility in public spaces of small towns in the Czech Republic. This text will not describe the history of the development of public space either on a global scale or on the scale of the Czech Republic or the scale of the small towns. There are several reasons. The first two areas have been described many times by world and domestic experts. Therefore, it would be impossible to bring new knowledge to them in a short time, which is defined. Their summation would also be very comprehensive, or conversely, so concise that it would not be an asset. In the third area – the history of public space in small towns of the Czech Republic, we come across another barrier. This is the fragmentation of development trends of inclusion in regions and the location of the seat in the region, the morphology of the terrain, the historical development of the region and many other factors. An emphasis will be placed on small municipalities of 7,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, which are large enough in terms of having to overcome greater distances, but too small to allow their population to be the commercial operation of local public transport, and with a small budget of the city, to be able to subsidize and maintain this public transport. There will be a meeting with the users of the public space and the transport used by them and their choice of transport around the city or through the city. In conclusion, the findings on mobility in the public space will be summarized based on the current situation of a lifestyle, such as the demands of rapid mobility.

Fingerprinting hydrological and biogeochemical drivers of freshwater quality

AbstractUnderstanding the interplay between hydrological flushing and biogeochemical cycling in streams is now possible owing to advances in high‐frequency water quality measurements with in situ sensors. It is often assumed that storm events are periods when biogeochemical processes become suppressed and longitudinal transport of solutes and particulates dominates. However, high‐frequency data show that diel cycles are a common feature of water quality time series and can be preserved during storm events, especially those of low‐magnitude. In this study, we mine a high‐frequency dataset and use two key hydrochemical indices, hysteresis and flushing index to evaluate the diversity of concentration‐discharge relationships in third order agricultural stream. We show that mobilization patterns, inferred from the hysteresis index, change on a seasonal basis, with a predominance of rapid mobilization from surface and near stream sources during winter high‐magnitude storm events and of delayed mobilization from subsurface sources during summer low‐magnitude storm events. Using dynamic harmonic regression, we were able to separate concentration signals during storm events into hydrological flushing (using trend as a proxy) and biogeochemical cycling (using amplitude of a diel cycle as a proxy). We identified three groups of water quality parameters depending on their typical c‐q response: flushing dominated parameters (phosphorus and sediments), mixed flushing and cycling parameters (nitrate nitrogen, specific conductivity and pH) and cycling dominated parameters (dissolved oxygen, redox potential and water temperature). Our results show that despite large storm to storm diversity in hydrochemical responses, storm event magnitude and timing have a critical role in controlling the type of mobilization, flushing and cycling behaviour of each water quality constituent. Hydrochemical indices can be used to fingerprint the effect of hydrological disturbance on freshwater quality and can be useful in determining the impacts of global change on stream ecology.

CGMP homeostasis in malaria parasites-The key to perceiving and integrating environmental changes during transmission to the mosquito.

Malaria-causing parasites are transmitted from humans to mosquitoes when developmentally arrested gametocytes are taken up by a female Anopheles during a blood meal. The changes in environment from human to mosquito activate gametogenesis, including a drop in temperature, a rise in pH, and a mosquito-derived molecule, xanthurenic acid. Signaling receptors have not been identified in malaria parasites but mounting evidence indicates that cGMP homeostasis is key to sensing extracellular cues in gametocytes. Low levels of cGMP maintained by phosphodiesterases prevent precocious activation of gametocytes in the human blood. Upon ingestion, initiation of gametogenesis depends on the activation of a hybrid guanylyl cyclase/P4-ATPase. Elevated cGMP levels lead to the rapid mobilization of intracellular calcium that relies upon the activation of both cGMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphoinositide phospholipase C. Once calcium is released, a cascade of phosphorylation events mediated by calcium-dependent protein kinases and phosphatases regulates the cellular processes required for gamete formation. cGMP signaling also triggers timely egress from the host cell at other life cycle stages of malaria parasites and in Toxoplasma gondii, a related apicomplexan parasite. This suggests that cGMP signaling is a versatile platform transducing external cues into calcium signals at important decision points in the life cycle of apicomplexan parasites.

Empathy and Community in the Age of Refugees: Petzold’s Radical Translation of Seghers’ Transit

Petzold’s film constitutes a radical translation of Seghers’ novel by transforming her tale of political refugees in Vichy France into an existential allegory depicting the fluidity of identities and relationships in a globalized world. The transitory existence of Petzold’s war refugee serves as an extreme example of the instability of modern life, which allows spectators to identify and empathize with migrants’ unpredictable journeys. Moreover, the director conveys the universality of his protagonist’s story by portraying him as an Everyman bereft of distinctive personality traits, by intermingling the past (Seghers’ plot) with the present (contemporary settings), and by situating his experiences in non-descript, liminal “non-places.” Both thematically and aesthetically, narrative is portrayed as establishing a community in an unstable contemporary world. Like the anti-hero of many modern Bildungsromane, Petzold’s protagonist fails to develop a stable identity and enduring friendships that anchor him in a community, but he creates his own family of listeners through his storytelling. In a similar vein, the film’s voice-over/narrator that bridges the fictional world with that of the audience underscores the film’s (and the novel’s) central theme: in a world of rapid change and mobility, the individual who may not be able to establish a stable identity or relationships, can create, as a narrator, a community of empathic listeners.

Absence of the C5a Receptor C5aR2 Worsens Ischemic Tissue Injury by Increasing C5aR1-Mediated Neutrophil Infiltration.

Neutrophil infiltration to ischemic tissues following reperfusion worsens injury. A key driver of neutrophil recruitment and activation is the complement factor C5a, which signals through two receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2. In this study, we used a neutrophil-dependent mouse model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to investigate the underexplored role of C5aR2 in neutrophil mobilization, recruitment, and disease outcomes. We show that intestinal IR induces rapid neutrophil mobilization along with a concomitant reduction in plasma C5a levels that is driven by both C5aR1 and C5aR2. Intestinal IR in C5aR2-/- mice led to worsened intestinal damage and increased neutrophil infiltration. Inhibition of C5aR1 signaling in C5aR2-/- mice with PMX53 prevented neutrophil accumulation and reduced IR pathology, suggesting a key requirement for enhanced neutrophil C5aR1 activation in the absence of C5aR2 signaling. Interestingly, C5aR2 deficiency also reduced circulating neutrophil numbers after IR, as well as following G-CSF-mediated bone marrow mobilization, which was independent of C5aR1, demonstrating that C5aR2 has unique and distinct functions from C5aR1 in neutrophil egress. Despite enhanced tissue injury in C5aR2-/- IR mice, there were significant reductions in intestinal proinflammatory cytokines, highlighting complicated dual protective/pathogenic roles for C5aR2 in pathophysiology. Collectively, we show that C5aR2 is protective in intestinal IR by inhibiting C5aR1-mediated neutrophil recruitment to the ischemic tissue. This is despite the potentially local pathogenic effects of C5aR2 in increasing intestinal proinflammatory cytokines and enhancing circulating neutrophil numbers in response to mobilizing signals. Our data therefore suggest that this balance between the dual pro- and anti-inflammatory roles of C5aR2 ultimately dictates disease outcomes.

Graphene/TiO2 decorated N-doped carbon foam as 3D porous current collector for high loading sulfur cathode

The intrinsic contradiction between high loading and high capacity in sulfur cathode severely limits the commercial viability of Li-S batteries. Herein, Graphene/TiO2 decorated N-doped carbon foam (G/T-NF@CNT) is proposed as three-dimensional (3D) current collector for high loading sulfur cathode. This rationally designed current collector can not only provide enough space to accommodate active sulfur, but also endow sulfur cathode with strong polysulfide confining ability. More interestingly, 3D porous conductive structure has sufficient channels to realize rapid mass mobilization; meanwhile the high conductivity networks boost transfer kinetics of electrons. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that G/T-NF@CNT/S cathode has a remarkable capacity of 788 mA h g−1 (5.83 mA h cm-2) at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles with a high sulfur loading of 7.4 mg cm-2. This work provides new insights on multifunctional current collectors for thick sulfur cathodes in Li-S batteries.