Interleukin (IL)-27 is an IL-12-related cytokine that can promote both anti- and pro-inflammatory immune responses. This study investigated the potential role of IL-27 in autoimmune diabetes. We detected a high level of IL-27 in diabetic NOD mice. In addition, blockade of IL-27 significantly delayed the onset of diabetic splenocyte-transferred diabetes, while IL-27-treated diabetic splenocytes promoted the onset of the disease, compared with untreated controls. Furthermore, IL-27 up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-17 and down-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, TGF-beta, and IL-10 secreted by diabetic splenocytes. These results demonstrate a pathogenic role of IL-27 in T cell-mediated autoimmune diabetes.

Eco-friendly energy harvesters with high output for effectively harvesting mechanical energy over a broad temperature range.

A flexible piezoelectric energy harvester based on polyimide (PI)/(Bi,La)FeO 3-PbTiO 3 (BLF-PT) 0-3 composite was fabricated by a cost-effective two-step process. The energy harvesting outputs are sensitive to the BLF-PT weight fraction and testing frequency. The flexible BLF-PT/PI composite with 30 wt% BLF-PT exhibits an open circuit voltage of 110 V and a short circuit current of 310 nA under pressure of 0.18 MPa at frequency of 1 Hz. Of particular significance is that the flexible energy harvester exhibits high temperature stability up to 150 °C and a voltage output of 30 V at temperatures as high as 300 °C, showing great potential for capturing mechanical energy or sensor over a wide temperature range at ultra-low frequency.

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Lattice-oxygen-active (Bi_0.5Co_0.5)₂O₃ was successfully prepared through vacancy modulation and demonstrated great OER activity and performance.