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Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of regulatory T cells (Treg), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. We performed a comprehensive search up to July 2016 for all clinical studies about the changes of Treg, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, and TNF-α in T2DM patients versus healthy controls. Results. A total of 91 articles (5642 cases and 7378 controls) were included for this meta-analysis. Compared with the controls (all p < 0.001), the patients had increased serum levels of IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α but decreased the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and serum IL-10 level. Furthermore, the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg (p < 0.001) and serum IL-10 level (p = 0.033) were significantly lower in the patients with complication and in the patients without complication, respectively. No significant changes about the percentage of CD4+CD25+Treg (p = 0.360) and serum IL-17 level (p = 0.459) were found in T2DM patients. Conclusions. T2DM patients have decreased the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and levels of serum IL-10 but elevated serum levels of IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α. Presence of diabetic complications further lowers the peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg number.

BackgroundLong non-coding (lnc) RNAs are a class of functional RNA molecules greater than 200 nucleotides in length, and lncRNAs play important roles in various biological regulatory processes and response to the biotic and abiotic stresses. LncRNAs associated with salt stress in cotton have been identified through RNA sequencing, but the function of lncRNAs has not been reported. We previously identified salt stress-related lncRNAs in cotton (Gossypium spp.), and discovered the salt-related lncRNA-lncRNA973.ResultsIn this study, we identified the expression level, localization, function, and preliminary mechanism of action of lncRNA973. LncRNA973, which was localized in the nucleus, was expressed at a low level under nonstress conditions but can be significantly increased by salt treatments. Here lncRNA973 was transformed into Arabidopsis and overexpressed. Along with the increased expression compared with wild type under salt stress conditions in transgenic plants, the seed germination rate, fresh weights and root lengths of the transgenic plants increased. We also knocked down the expression of lncRNA973 using virus-induced gene silencing technology. The lncRNA973 knockdown plants wilted, and the leaves became yellowed and dropped under salt-stress conditions, indicating that the tolerance to salt stress had decreased compared with wild type. LncRNA973 may be involved in the regulation of reactive oxygen species-scavenging genes, transcription factors and genes involved in salt stress-related processes in response to cotton salt stress.ConclusionsLncRNA973 was localized in the nucleus and its expression was increased by salt treatment. The lncRNA973-overexpression lines had increased salt tolerance compared with the wild type, while the lncRNA973 knockdown plants had reduced salt tolerance. LncRNA973 regulated cotton responses to salt stress by modulating the expression of a series of salt stress-related genes. The data provides a basis for further studies on the mechanisms of lncRNA973-associated responses to salt stress in cotton.

Multicolor carbon dot (CD)‐based nanomaterials offer a variety of opportunities for potential applications in bioimaging, optoelectronic devices, and information security. However, it still remains a challenge to modulate the conjugated π‐structure of CDs to achieve multicolor room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Herein, the authors present a strategy based on thermally driven amorphous−crystalline phase transition to achieve multicolor carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) with the emission color tunable from green to orange‐red. This is the first report on multicolor RTP emission from CDs by means of thermal stimulus. Further investigations reveal that the formation of self‐protective covalently crosslinked frameworks and codoping of multiple heteroatoms play a crucial role in the production of RTP. RTP color tunability can be attributed to different crystalline contents of the conjugated π‐domain within CPDs. Potential application of the developed CPDs as printable and writable security inks for advanced multilevel anti‐counterfeiting and encryption is demonstrated. This work paves a path for the development of multicolor RTP materials and suggests great potential of CDs in exploiting novel optical materials toward intriguing applications.

Room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon dots offer unique opportunities in information security applications, but the delay time of such materials reported thus far is typically shorter than 10 s and thus...

Our findings suggest that subsidence and revision rates following anterior corpectomy and interbody fusion could be minimized with the use of a carbon fiber cage.

Introduction:The effects of renin–angiotensin system blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) on cancer remain inconsistent.Methods:We searched existing databases from 1960 to August 2015, for randomised controlled trials and observational studies (case–control studies and cohort studies) of ARB/ACEI therapy with a minimal one year of follow-up. Outcomes were incidence and mortality of cancer.Results:We included 14 randomised controlled trials and 17 observational studies of 3,957,725 participants (350,329 ARB/ACEI users). The users had a lower incidence of cancer in the observational studies (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.93) but not in the randomised controlled trials (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.92–1.08). The protection persisted for lung cancer (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.97) but not for other sites of cancer. The relative risk of cancer associated with renin–angiotensin system blockade was reduced along with time of follow-up. Mortality reduction with ARB/ACEI was marginally significant in the observational studies (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.93) but not in the randomised controlled trials (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89–1.09).Conclusions:The significant benefits of renin–angiotensin system blockade observed in case–control studies and cohort studies might diminish in randomised controlled trials. Clinical design, site of cancer and duration of follow-up may affect the clinical outcomes.

Developing solid-state luminescent materials with bright long-wavelength emissions is of considerable practical importance in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) but remains a formidable challenge. Here, a novel structure engineering strategy is reported to realize solid-state fluorescence (FL)-emitted carbon dots (CDs) from visible to near-infrared region. This is the first report of such an extended wavelength emission of self-quenching-resistant solid-state CDs. Notably, the quantum yields of these CDs are remarkably improved up to 67.7%, which is the highest value for solid-state CDs. The surface polymer chains of CDs can efficiently suppress the conjugated sp 2 carbon cores from 𝝅-𝝅 stacking inducing aggregation caused FL quenching, and the redshift of FL emissions is attributed to narrowing bandgap caused by an enlarged sp 2 carbon core. Using these CDs as conversion phosphors, the fabrication of white LEDs with adjustable correlated color temperatures of 1882-5019 K is achieved. Moreover, a plant growth LED device is assembled with a blue-LED chip and deep-red/near-infrared-emitted CDs. Compared with sunlight and white LEDs, the peanuts irradiated by plant growth LED lamp show higher growth efficiency in terms of branches and leaves. This work provides high-quality solid-state CD-based phosphors for LED lighting sources that are required for diverse optoelectronic applications.