A randomized double-blind clinical trial: Comparison of oclacitinib with a traditional Chinese herbal medicine product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which seriously affects the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. Currently, the common therapeutic drugs in the clinic have disadvantages such as obvious adverse effects and high prices. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) has great potential for the treatment of cAD. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different doses of the TCHM product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) and oclacitinib in the treatment of cAD through a randomized, double-blind trial. Sixty dogs diagnosed with AD were randomly and evenly divided into four groups (n = 15). The TCHM treatment group consisted of three subgroups that received three different oral doses (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg BW), while the control group received 0.5 mg/kg BW of oclacitinib. Each group was administered twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The results showed that both TCHM and oclacitinib significantly improved cAD-induced itching (evaluated by pVAS) and skin lesions (evaluated by CADESI-04), while interleukin 31 (IL-31) concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and serum biochemical indicators returned to normal. In particular, The therapeutic effects of TCHM medium- and high-dose groups were similar to those of oclacitinib (P > 0.05). The preliminary recommended dose of Dihuang Guiqin capsule for the treatment of cAD has been determined to be 40-60 mg/kg BW twice daily for 14 consecutive days, which can be reduced to once daily as appropriate. Dihuang Guiqin capsule was safe and well tolerated, which may be a new option for the treatment of cAD.

Revealing the Effect of the [CoO]6 Microstructure in Pseudocapacitance by Controlled Delithium of LiCoO2.

Revealing the in-depth structure-property relationship and designing specific capacity electrodes are particularly important for supercapacitors. Despite many efforts made to tune the composition and electronic structure of cobalt oxide for pseudocapacitance, insight into the [CoO]6 octahedron from the microstructure is still insufficient. Herein, we present a tunable [CoO]6 octahedron microstructure in LiCoO2 by a chemical delithiation process. The c-strained strain of the [CoO]6 octahedron is induced to form higher valence Co ions, and the (003) crystalline layer spacing increases to allow more rapid participation of OH- in the redox reaction. Interestingly, the specific capacity of L0.75CO2 is nearly four times higher than that of LiCoO2 at 10 mA g-1. The enhanced activity originated from the asymmetric strain [CoO]6 octahedra, resulting in enhanced electronic conductivity and Co-O hybridization for accelerated redox kinetics. This finding provides new insights into the modification strategy for pseudocapacitive transition metal oxides.

Polymer Chainmail: Steric Hindrance and Charge Compensation of Anion-Doped PEDOT to Boost Stress Deformation of Compressible Supercapacitor.

Conducting polymers with high theoretical capacitance and deformability are among the optimal candidates for compressible supercapacitor electrode materials. However, achieving both mechanical and electrochemical stabilities in a single electrode remains a great challenge. To address this issue, the "Polymer Chainmail" is proposed with reversible deformation capability and enhances stability because of the steric hindrance and charge compensation effect of doped anions. As a proof of concept, four common anions are selected as dopants for Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and their effects on the adsorption and diffusion of H+ on PEDOT are verified using density functional theory calculations. Owing to the film formation effect, the PF 6 - ${{\rm{PF}}_6^- }$ doped PEDOT/nitrogen-doped carbon foam exhibits good mechanical properties. Furthermore, the composite demonstrates excellent rate performance and stability due to suitable anion doping. This finding provides new insights into the preparation of electrochemically stable conductive polymer-based compressible electrode materials.

Schisandrin Protects against Norepinephrine-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophic Injury by Inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway.

Aims. Heart failure is closely associated with norepinephrine-(NE-) induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Schisandrin is derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra; it has a variety of pharmacological activities, and the mechanism of schisandrin-mediated protection of the cardiovascular system is not clear. Main Methods. NE was used to establish a cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model to explore the mechanism of action of schisandrin. An MTT assay was used for cell viability; Hoechst fluorescence staining was used to observe the cell morphology and calculate the apoptosis rate. The cell surface area was measured and the protein to DNA ratio was calculated, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected, and the degree of hypertrophic cell damage was evaluated. WB, QRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence were used to qualitatively, quantitatively, and quantitatively detect apoptotic proteins in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Key Findings. In the NE-induced model, schisandrin treatment reduced the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes, increased the ratio of the cell surface area to cardiomyocyte protein/DNA, and also, increased the membrane potential of the mitochondria. The expression of both JAK2 and STAT3 was downregulated, and the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly reduced. In conclusion, schisandrin may protect against NE-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Seasonal dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum infection in buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region and suggestions on local treatment schemes.

Schistosomiasis japonica remains a major public health problem and the Poyang Lake region in Jiangxi province is one of the worst affected endemic areas. Buffaloes play a major role in the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum to humans. The aim of the present study was to increase understanding of the epidemic characteristics of schistosomiasis japonica in water buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region, after achieving the national mid-term goal, and to provide a basis for further interventions. The baseline prevalence in two villages in the Poyang Lake region in May 2010 was compared with respect to usage, sex and age in the total study population. Seasonal dynamics from May 2010 to May 2011 were observed in a natural village in the studied area. The baseline prevalence of infection in both villages (Caohui and Gaozhou) was 4.94% in May 2010. The prevalence in buffalo younger than 12 months was 12.82% in Caohui and 15.11% in Gaozhou, which was significantly higher than that found in those aged 13-24 months and older than 24 months. Of the 28 infected buffaloes, 82.14% (23) were younger than 12 months. The flow of seasonal dynamics showed that S. japonicum infection buffaloes were found from May to July and from November to January of the following year. This survey suggested that it is necessary to conduct two mass treatments (especially for young animals) in late March or early April and November, with an additional treatment of positive animals in July or June.

Comparative evaluation of conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with loop-mediated isothermal amplification and SYBR green I-based real-time PCR for the quantitation of porcine circovirus-1 DNA in contaminated samples destined for vaccine production.

Porcine circovirus type1 (PCV1), described initially as a contaminant of a porcine kidney cell line, is ubiquitous within the swine population The presence of PCV1 in porcine cell lines can lead to contamination during both human and porcine vaccine production. Therefore, a rapid, specific, sensitive and practical method is needed for the detection of PCV1 in bio-products. The aim of this study was to compare three assays in their ability to accurately quantify PCV1 virus in biological samples, namely loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), SYBR green I-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional PCR. All assays yielded successful quantitation of PCV1 DNA and differentiated between PCV1-free and-contaminated cells. In addition, the results were specific for PCV1, since amplification of samples containing closely-related PCV2 or other pathogenic swine viruses yielded negative results. The lowest detection threshold of 10(2) copies was displayed by the SYBR green I-based real-time PCR assay. In addition, this assay was the most effective in detecting PCV1 contamination in a set of commercially available porcine vaccines. Therefore we conclude that SYBR green I-based real-time PCR is specific and sensitive for detecting PCV1 in biological samples and maybe used for quality control of vaccine and biomaterial production.

Acaricidal activity of extracts from Adonis coerulea Maxim. against Psoroptes cuniculi in vitro and in vivo.

The acaricidal activity of Adonis coerulea extracts was investigated against Psoroptes cuniculi. The aqueous, methanol, acetic ether and petroleum ether extracts all showed marked acaricidal activity in vitro. Especially, the acetic ether extract possessed strong toxicity against mites in vitro with LT50 values 0.743 h, 2.730 h, 5.919 h and 22.536 h at concentrations of 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 mg/ml, respectively. At the same time, the acetic ether extract showed the best effectiveness topically to infested rabbits in vivo. After three times treatment, at the day 20, rabbits treated with A. coerulea extract were observed only small scabs or secretions in ear canal, but no mites. These findings suggested that as a potential insecticide, A. coerulea should be studied further to develop active components or a new acaricidal drug.