Enantiodiscrimination of chiral molecules via quantum correlation function.

We propose a method to realize enantiodiscrimination of chiral molecules based on quantum correlation function in a driven cavity-molecule system, where the chiral molecule is coupled with a quantized cavity field and two classical light fields to form a cyclic three-level model. According to the inherent properties of electric-dipole transition moments of chiral molecules, there is a π-phase difference in the overall phase of the cyclic three-level model for the left- and right-handed chiral molecules. Thus, the correlation function depends on this overall phase and is chirality-dependent. The analytical and numerical results indicate that the left- and right-handed chiral molecules can be discriminated by detecting quantum correlation function. Our work opens up a promising route to discriminate molecular chirality, which is an extremely important task in pharmacology and biochemistry.

Enantio-detection via cavity-assisted three-photon processes.

We propose a method for enantio-detection of chiral molecules based on a cavity-molecule system, where the left- and right-handed molecules are coupled with a cavity and two classical light fields to form cyclic three-level models. Via the cavity-assisted three-photon processes based on the cyclic three-level model, photons are generated continuously in the cavity even in the absence of external driving to the cavity. However, the photonic fields generated from the three-photon processes of left- and right-handed molecules differ with the phase difference π according to the inherent properties of electric-dipole transition moments of enantiomers. This provides a potential way to detect the enantiomeric excess of chiral mixture by monitoring the output field of the cavity.

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei that have received mixtures of heat-killed and formalin-inactivated Vibrio alginolyticus and V. harveyi exhibit recall memory and show increased phagocytosis and resistance to Vibrio infection.

Heat-killed Vibrio alginolyticus (HVa), formalin-inactivated V. alginolyticus (FVa), heat-killed Vibrio harveyi (HVh), formalin-inactivated V. harveyi (FVh), live V. alginolyticus (LVa), and live V. harveyi (LVh) were used in this study. White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei receiving two mixtures (HVa + FVa) or four mixtures (HVa + FVa + HVh + FVh) served as primary exposure, and shrimp receiving LVa or LVh afterward served as secondary exposure. Shrimp receiving marine saline and then receiving either LVa or LVh served as controls. Phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency were examined in shrimp that received two mixtures after 1-8 weeks and then received LVa. Both the phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency of shrimp receiving two mixtures were significantly higher than in control shrimp after 1-8 weeks. In another experiment, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency were examined in shrimp that received four mixtures after 1-8 weeks and then received LVa and LVh, respectively. The phagocytic activity of shrimp receiving four mixtures was significantly higher than in control shrimp after 1-8 weeks post exposure to LVa and LVh. The clearance efficiency of shrimp receiving four mixtures was significantly higher than in control shrimp after 1-6 weeks post exposure to LVa, and 1-7 weeks post exposure to LVh. In the other experiment, the survival rate of shrimp that received four mixtures after five weeks were challenged with LVa at 6.4 × 107 colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp-1 and LVh at 4.4 × 106 cfu shrimp-1. Shrimp that received marine saline for five weeks and then challenged with LVa and LVh at a same dose served as challenged controls. The survival rate of shrimp that received four mixtures was significantly higher (90%) than that of control shrimp (67%), and significantly higher (73%) than that of control shrimp (53%) after 3-7 days post challenge with LVa and LVh. It is concluded that the mixtures have feature of adjuvant and antigen, and shrimp receiving mixtures of heat-killed and formalin-inactivated V. alginolyticus and V. harveyi even after 5-8 weeks exhibit memory recall and show increased phagocytosis and resistance to Vibrio infections.

Design and synthesis of novel 20(S)-α-aminophosphonate derivatives of camptothecin as potent antitumor agents.

29 novel 20(S)-aminophosphonate derivatives of camptothecin were synthesized via a FeCl3 - catalyzed one-pot reaction. All of these compounds displayed similar or superior cytotoxic activity in comparison with that of Irinotecan against Hep3B, MCF-7, A-549, MDA-MB-231, KB, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) KB-vin cell lines. Out of them, compound B07 exhibited significant cytotoxicity and 10-fold improvement in activity compared to Irinotecan. Mechanistically, B07 not only induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in Hep3B and MCF-7 cells, but also inhibited Topoisomerase I activity in the cell and cell-free system in a manner similar to that of Irinotecan. In both xenograft and primary HCC mouse models, B07 showed significant anti-tumor activity and was more potent than Irinotecan. Additionally, the acute toxicity assay showed that B07 had no apparent toxicity to the mouse liver, kidney, and hemopoietic system of the FVB/N mice. Therefore, these findings indicate that compound B07 could be a potential Topoisomerase I poison drug candidate for further clinical trial.

Enantio-discrimination via light deflection effect.

We propose a theoretical method for enantio-discrimination based on the light deflection effect in four-level models of chiral molecules. This four-level model consists of a cyclic three-level subsystem coupled by three strong driving fields and an auxiliary level connected to the cyclic three-level subsystem by a weak probe field. It is shown that the induced refractive index for the weak probe field is chirality-dependent. Thus, it will lead to chirality-dependent light deflection when the intensities of two of the three strong driving fields are spatially inhomogeneous. As a result, the deflection angle of the weak probe light can be utilized to detect the chirality of pure enantiomers and enantiomeric excess of the chiral mixture. Therefore, our method may act as a tool for enantio-discrimination.

Endogenous molecules released by haemocytes receiving Sargassum oligocystum extract lead to downstream activation and synergize innate immunity in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei haemocytes receiving immunostimulating Sargassum oligocystum extract (SE) caused necrosis in haemocyte cells, which released endogenous EM-SE molecules. This study examined the immune response of white shrimp L. vannamei receiving SE and EM-SE in vitro and in vivo. Shrimp haemocytes receiving SE exhibited degranulation, changes in cell size and cell viability, necrosis and a release of EM-SE. Shrimp haemocytes receiving SE, EM-SE, and the SE + EM-SE mixture (SE + EM-SE) increased their phenoloxidase (PO) activity which was significantly higher in shrimp haemocytes receiving the SE + EM-SE mixture. Furthermore, shrimp haemocytes receiving EM-SE showed degranulation and changes in cell size and cell viability. Shrimp receiving SE, EM-SE, and SE + EM-SE all increased their immune parameters, phagocytic activity, clearance efficiency and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus, being significantly higher in shrimp receiving SE + EM-SE. Meanwhile, the recombinant lipopolysaccharide- and ß-1,3-glucan binding protein of L. vannamei (rLvLGBP) was bound to SE, EM-SE, and SE + EM-SE. We conclude that in shrimp haemocytes receiving a non-self molecule, SE in dying cells released EM-SE which led to downstream activation and synergization of the immune response. This study demonstrated that the innate immunity of shrimp was elicited and enhanced by a mixture of endogenous molecules and exogenous substances (or immunostimulants).

Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides that have encountered low salinity stress have decreased cellular and humoral immune reactions and increased susceptibility to Vibrio alginolyticus.

Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides reared at 34‰ and 27 °C were abruptly transferred to 6‰, 20‰ and 34‰ (control) and examined for innate cellular and humoral parameters after 3-96 h. Total leucocyte count (TLC), respiratory burst (RB), phagocytic activity (PA), alternative complement pathway (ACP) and lysozyme activity were significantly decreased 3-6 h, 3-6 h, 3-96 h, 3-96 h and 3-96 h, respectively after transferal into 6‰ salinity. TLC, RB and PA significantly increased after 3-48 h, 3-96 h and 3-24 h, respectively, with recovery of TLC and PA after 96 h and 48-96 h, whereas ACP and lysozyme activity significantly decreased 3-96 h after being transferred to 20‰. In another experiment, grouper reared at 34‰ and 27 °C were injected with Vibrio alginolyticus grown in tryptic soy broth (TSB) at 2.3 × 109 colony-forming units (cfu) fish-1 and then transferred to 6‰, 20‰ and 34‰ (control). The cumulative mortalities of V. alginolyticus-injected fish held in 6‰ were significantly higher than in injected fish held at 20‰ and 34‰. It was concluded that grouper E. coioides encountering a 34‰-6‰ salinity drop stress exhibited a depression in immunity as evidenced by decreased cellular and humoral parameters and increased susceptibility to V. alginolyticus. Grouper encountering a salinity stress drop from 34‰ to 20‰, however, exhibited decreased humoral immune parameters but also increased TLC and cellular immune parameters, indicating immunomodulation.

Beam splitter and router via an incoherent pump-assisted electromagnetically induced blazed grating.

We propose a scheme for a beam splitter and a beam router via an electromagnetically induced blazed grating in a four-level double-Λ system driven by an intensity-modulated coupling field and an incoherent pump field. The blazed grating relies on the incoherent pump process, which helps in inducing large refractivity with suppressed absorption or even gain. Consequently, the weak probe beam can be effectively deflected with high diffraction efficiency, and, meanwhile, its energy is amplified. When using an intensity mask with two symmetric domains in the coupling field, the presented blazed grating provides the possibility of a symmetric beam splitter. The diffraction efficiency and diffraction order of the gratings are sensitive to the intensity of the coupling field, and, thus, the gratings can function as a tunable asymmetric beam splitter or a beam router, which distributes the probe field into different spatial directions. Therefore, the proposed scheme may have potential applications in optical communication and networking.

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei that have received fucoidan exhibit a defense against Vibrio alginolyticus and WSSV despite their recovery of immune parameters to background levels.

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei receiving fucoidan at 2, 6, and 10 µg g-1 after 0-144 h or 0-120 h were examined for immune parameters (haemograms, phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, and superoxide dismutase activity), proliferation of haemocyte in the haematopoietic tissue (HPT), gene expression, and phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to Vibrio alginolyticus. Immune parameters and mitotic index of HPT increased after 3-24 h, reached their maxima after 48-72 h, and returned to background values after 144 h. Transcripts of lipopolysaccharide and ß-1,3-glucan binding protein (LGBP), peroxinectin (PX), prophenoloxidase (proPO) I, proPO II, astakine, and haemocyte homeostasis-associated protein (HHAP) were up-regulated to a maximum after 48-72 h and returned to background values after 144 h. Phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus increased after 12 h, reached its maximum after 48 h, and continued to remain higher after 120 h. In another experiment, shrimp receiving fucoidan after 48 h and 144 h were respectively challenged with V. alinolyticus at 6 × 106 colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp-1 or challenged with WSSV at 1.2 × 105 copies shrimp-1 and then placed in seawater. The survival rate of shrimp receiving fucoidan was significantly higher than in controls. In conclusion, shrimp receiving fucoidan showed a proliferation of HPT, increased immune parameters, and up-regulated transcripts of LGBP, PX, proPO I, proPO II, astakine, and HHAP after 48 h. Shrimp receiving fucoidan exhibited a defense against V. alginolyticus and WSSV, even after immune parameters recovered to background levels.

Spirulina elicits the activation of innate immunity and increases resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in shrimp.

The effect of Spirulina dried powder (SDP) on the immune response of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was studied in vitro and in vivo. Incubating shrimp haemocytes in 0.5 mg ml(-1) SDP caused the degranulation of haemocytes and a reduction in the percentage of large cells within 30 min. Shrimp haemocytes incubated in 1 mg ml(-1) SDP significantly increased their phenoloxidase (PO) activity, serine proteinase activity, and respiratory burst activity (RB, release of superoxide anion). A recombinant protein of lipopolysaccharide and ß-1,3-glucan binding protein (LGBP) of the white shrimp was produced, named rLvLGBP, and examined for its binding with SDP. An ELISA binding assay showed that rLvLGBP binds to SDP with a dissociation constant of 0.0507 µM. In another experiment, shrimp fed diets containing SDP at 0 (control), 30, and 60 g kg(-1) after four weeks were examined for LGBP transcript level and lysozyme activity, as well as phagocytic activity, clearance efficiency, and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus. These parameters were significantly higher in shrimp receiving diets containing SDP at 60 g kg(-1) or 30 g kg(-1) than in controls. In conclusion, shrimp haemocytes receiving SDP provoked the activation of innate immunity as evidenced by the recognition and binding of LGBP, degranulation of haemocytes, reduction in the percentage of large cells, increases in PO activity, serine proteinase activity, superoxide anion levels, and up-regulated LGBP transcript levels. Shrimp receiving diets containing SDP had increased lysozyme activity and resistance against V. alginolyticus infection. This study showed the mechanism underlying the immunostimulatory action of Spirulina and its immune response in shrimp.

Activation of immunity, immune response, antioxidant ability, and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei decrease under long-term culture at low pH.

The growth, activation of immunity, immune parameters, and transcript levels of cytMnSOD, mtMnSOD, ecCuZnSOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, lysozyme, and penaeidin 3a were examined in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared at pH 6.8 and 8.1 after 24 weeks. No significant difference in growth was observed between the two groups. An in vitro study indicated that phenoloxidase activity and respiratory bursts (RB, release of the superoxide anion) were significantly higher in the haemocytes of pH 8.1 shrimp (shrimp reared at pH 8.1) than in pH 6.8 shrimp (shrimp reared at pH 6.8). An in vivo study indicated that the levels of immune parameters of pH 8.1 shrimp were significantly higher than in pH 6.8 shrimp, and the transcript levels of cytMnSOD, ecCuZnSOD, glutathione peroxidase, lysozyme, and penaeidin 3a were down-regulated in pH 6.8 shrimp. In another experiment, shrimp reared at pH 6.8 and 8.1 for 24 weeks were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus. The mortality rate of pH 6.8 shrimp was significantly higher than in pH 8.1 shrimp over 12-168 h. Phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus were significantly lower in pH 6.8 shrimp. We concluded that shrimp under long-term culture at pH 6.8 exhibited decreased resistance against V. alginolyticus as evidenced by reductions in the activation of immunity and immune parameters together with decreased transcript levels of cytMnSOD, ecCuZnSOD, GPx, lysozyme, and penaeidin 3a.

Crowding of white shrimp Litopenaeus vananmei depresses their immunity to and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus and white spot syndrome virus.

Immunity parameters and the expression levels of several immune-related proteins, including lipopolysaccharide and ß-glucan binding protein (LGBP), peroxinectin (PX), intergin ß (IB), prophenoloxidase (proPO) I, proPO II, α2-macroglobulin (α2-M), cytosolic mangangese superoxide dismutase (cytMnSOD), mitochondria manganese superoxide dismutase (mtMnSOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lysozyme, and penaeidin 3a were examined in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei reared at stocking densities of 2, 10, 20, 30, and 40 shrimp L(-1) after 3, 6, and 12 h. All immune parameters including haemocyte count, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory burst (RB), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lysozyme activity, and haemolymph protein were negatively related to density and time. The PO activity, SOD activity, and lysozyme activity of shrimp reared at 10 shrimp L(-1) after 12 h significantly decreased. The transcript levels of these immune-related proteins were down-regulated in shrimp reared at 20, 30, and 40 shrimp L(-1) after 12 h. Phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to Vibrio alginolyticus were significantly lower in shrimp reared at 30 and 40 shrimp L(-1) after 12 h. The mortality rates of shrimp reared at 20 and 40 shrimp L(-1) were significantly higher than shrimp reared at 2 shrimp L(-1) over 12-144 h and 12-48 h, respectively. Shrimp reared at high densities (>10 shrimp L(-1)) exhibited decreased resistance against pathogens as evidenced by reductions in immune parameters together with decreased expression levels of immune-related proteins, indicating perturbations of the immune system.

White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei That Have Received Gracilaria tenuistipitata Extract Show Early Recovery of Immune Parameters after Ammonia Stressing.

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei immersed in seawater (35‰) containing Gracilaria tenuistipitata extract (GTE) at 0 (control), 400, and 600 mg/L for 3 h were exposed to 5 mg/L ammonia-N (ammonia as nitrogen), and immune parameters including hyaline cells (HCs), granular cells (GCs, including semi-granular cells), total hemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory bursts (RBs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lysozyme activity, and hemolymph protein level were examined 24~120 h post-stress. The immune parameters of shrimp immersed in 600 mg/L GTE returned to original values earlier, at 96~120 h post-stress, whereas in control shrimp they did not. In another experiment, shrimp were immersed in seawater containing GTE at 0 and 600 mg/L for 3 h and examined for transcript levels of immune-related genes at 24 h post-stress. Transcript levels of lipopolysaccharide and ß-1,3-glucan binding protein (LGBP), peroxinectin (PX), cytMnSOD, mtMnSOD, and HSP70 were up-regulated at 24 h post-stress in GTE receiving shrimp. We concluded that white shrimp immersed in seawater containing GTE exhibited a capability for maintaining homeostasis by regulating cellular and humoral immunity against ammonia stress as evidenced by up-regulated gene expression and earlier recovery of immune parameters.

Functional gold nanoparticles coupled with microporous membranes: a flow controlled assay for colorimetric visualization of proteins.

We report a rapid and simple assay for colorimetric visualization of thrombin at nanomolar levels using functional gold nanoparticles (FAuNPs) coupled with microporous membranes. We used a 29-mer thiolated-thrombin-binding-aptamer (TBA29) to prepare TBA29 functionalized AuNPs (TBA29-AuNPs) for the selective detection of human thrombin. The sensing mechanism is based on the principle of TBA29-AuNPs flowing down through the nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) pores at different flow rates after binding to thrombin. Compared with free TBA29-AuNPs, when thrombin-TBA29-AuNPs were dropped on the NCM, the particles flowed down more easily through the NCM pores along with the buffer solution due to the increase in the gravity of particles. Therefore, color intensities of TBA29-AuNPs on the NCM depended on the concentration of thrombin; the color intensity was lighter when the concentration of thrombin was higher. Thrombin can be detected at the nanomolar level with the naked eye using this colorimetric probe. A protein G modified AuNP based probe (PG-AuNPs/NCM) was employed to detect human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) in plasma samples to demonstrate the practicality of our sensing system. Also, fibrinogen modified Au NPs were analyzed to demonstrate that this concept of detection could be extended to other proteins or systems, by functionalizing with suitable molecules.

Shrimp that have received carrageenan via immersion and diet exhibit immunocompetence in phagocytosis despite a post-plateau in immune parameters.

The effect of carrageenan on the immune response of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Shrimp haemocytes receiving carrageenan at 1 mg ml⁻¹ experienced change in cell size, reduction in cell viability, increase in PO activity, serine proteinase activity, and RB in vitro. Shrimp received carrageenan via immersion at 200, 400 and 600 mg L⁻¹ after 3 h and orally at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg⁻¹ after 3 weeks showed higher proliferation of haematopoietic tissues (HPTs) together with increases in haemocyte count and other immune parameters. Shrimp that fed a diet containing carrageenan at 0.5 g kg⁻¹ after 3 weeks significantly up-regulated gene expressions of several immune-related proteins. The immune parameters of shrimp that received carrageenan via immersion and orally increased to a plateau after 3 h and after 3 weeks, but decreased after 5 h and 6 weeks, respectively. Phagocytosis and clearance of Vibrio alginolyticus remained high in shrimp that had received carrageenan via immersion after 5 h and orally after 6 weeks, respectively. Resistances of shrimp against V. alginolyticus and white spot syndrome virus were higher over 24-144 h and 72-144 h, respectively in shrimp that received carrageenan at 600 mg L⁻¹ via immersion after 3 and 5 h. It was concluded that carrageenan effectively triggers an innate immunity in vitro, and increases mitotic index of HPT, immune parameters, gene expressions and resistance against pathogens in vivo. Shrimp received carrageenan via immersion and orally exhibited immunocompetence in phagocytosis and clearance of V. alginolyticus, and resistance to pathogen despite the trend in immune parameters to recover to background values.

The value of microvascular Doppler ultrasound technique, qualitative or quantitative shear-wave elastography of breast lesions for predicting axillary nodal burden in patients with breast cancer.

Background: The status of the axillary lymph node (ALN) in patients with breast cancer can critically inform clinical decision-making and prognosis. Preoperative evaluation of limited nodal burden (0-2 metastatic ALNs) and high nodal burden (≥3 metastatic ALNs) is vital for individual treatment in patients with breast cancer. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the value of Angio-PLUS (AP; Aixplorer, SuperSonic Imagine) and the qualitative and quantitative shear-wave elastography (SWE) of breast lesions to predict limited or high axillary nodal burden and to develop a model for predicting limited or high axillary nodal burden. Methods: From March 2020 to November 2022, a total of 232 consecutive patients with breast cancer comprising 232 breast lesions were enrolled retrospectively from Yueyang Central Hospital. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of AP, qualitative SWE, quantitative SWE, and the predictive model for evaluating limited or high axillary nodal burden were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in AP patterns between the limited nodal burden group and high nodal burden group. The best cutoff values of Emin (the minimal value of the first Q-box), Emean (the mean value of the first Q-box), Emax (the maximum value of the first Q-box), Eratio (ratio of the first Q-Box and the second Q-Box) and standard deviation for predicting limited or high nodal burden were 80.85 KPa, 133.45 KPa, 153.40 KPa, 9.95, and 19.25 KPa, respectively. The Emax had the highest AUC, and its sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC were 71.64%, 56.36%, 40.00%, 83.04%, 60.78%, and 0.640 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.575-0.702], respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC of seven color patterns for qualitative SWE were 71.64%, 74.55%, 53.33%, 86.62%, 73.71%, and 0.731 (95% CI: 0.669-0.787), respectively, which was significantly higher than all the other quantitative SWE parameters. ALN evaluation in ultrasound and qualitative SWE were independent risk factors for predicting limited or high nodal burden according to a binary logistics regression analysis. The AUC of the predictive model based on independent risk factors was 0.820 (95% CI: 0.765-0.867), which was significantly higher than that of the other independent risk factors. Conclusions: The seven color patterns in the qualitative SWE of breast lesions were valuable for predicting limited or high nodal burden for patients with breast cancer. Compared with quantitative SWE, qualitative SWE exhibited a better diagnostic performance. Breast lesions present no findings, vertical stripes, and spot patterns were important indicators for limited nodal burden. The predictive model developed in this study could be a simple, noninvasive, and convenient method for predicting limited or high nodal burden, which would be beneficial for clinical decision-making and individual treatment to improve prognosis.

Enhanced performance of benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene (BTT)-based bottom-contact thin-film transistors.

Three new benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene (BTT; 1) derivatives, which were end-functionalized with phenyl (BTT-P; 2), benzothiophenyl (BTT-BT; 3), and benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophenyl groups (BBTT; 4; dimer of 1), were synthesized and characterized in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). A new and improved synthetic method for BTTs was developed, which enabled the efficient realization of new BTT-based semiconductors. The crystal structure of BBTT was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Within this family, BBTT, which had the largest conjugation of the BTT derivatives in this study, exhibited the highest p-channel characteristic, with a carrier mobility as high as 0.22 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and a current on/off ratio of 1×10(7) , as well as good ambient stability for bottom-contact/bottom-gate OTFT devices. The device characteristics were correlated with the film morphologies and microstructures of the corresponding compounds.

Modulation of the innate immune system in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei following long-term low salinity exposure.

Immune parameters, haemocyte lifespan, and gene expressions of lipopolysaccharide and ß-glucan-binding protein (LGBP), peroxinectin (PX), integrin ß, and α2-macroglobulin (α2-M) were examined in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (0.48 ± 0.05 g) which had been reared at different salinity levels of 2.5‰, 5‰, 15‰, 25‰, and 35‰ for 24 weeks. All shrimp survived during the first 6 weeks. The survival rate of shrimp reared at 2.5‰ and 5‰ was much lower (30%) than that of shrimp reared at 15‰, 25‰, and 35‰ (76%~86%) after 24 weeks. Shrimp reared at 25% grew faster. Shrimp reared at 2.5‰ and 5‰ showed lower hyaline cells (HCs), granular cells (GCs), phenoloxidase activity (PO) activity, respiratory bursts (RBs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and lysozyme activity, but showed a longer haemocyte lifespan, and higher expressions of LGBP, PX, integrin ß, and α2-M. In another experiment, shrimp which had been reared at different salinity levels for 24 weeks were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus (6 × 10(6) cfu shrimp(-1)), and WSSV (10(3) copies shrimp(-1)) and then released to their respective seawater. At 96-144 h, cumulative mortalities of shrimp reared at 2.5‰ and 5‰ were significantly higher than those of shrimp reared at 15‰, 25‰, and 35‰. It was concluded that following long-term exposure to 2.5‰ and 5‰ seawater, white shrimp juveniles exhibited decreased resistance against a pathogen due to reductions in immune parameters. Increases in the haemocyte lifespan and gene expressions of LGBP, integrin ß, PX, and α2-M indicated that shrimp had the ability to expend extra energy to modulate the innate immune system to prevent further perturbations at low salinity levels.

Combined Use of Shear Wave Elastography, Microvascular Doppler Ultrasound Technique, and BI-RADS for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Masses.

Objective: To evaluate the value of the combined use of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), qualitative shear wave elastography (SWE), and AngioPLUS microvascular Doppler ultrasound technique (AP) for distinguishing benign and malignant breast masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 pathologically confirmed breast lesions in 210 patients were reviewed using BI-RADS, qualitative SWE, and AP. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of BI-RADS and the combination of qualitative SWE and/or AP with BI-RADS were compared, respectively. Results: Compared with using BI-RADS alone, the use of combined qualitative SWE and/or AP with BI-RADS had higher AUC values (P < 0.001). Besides this, the combination of qualitative SWE and AP with BI-RADS had the best diagnostic performance for differentiating between benign and malignant masses. When AP and SWE were combined with BI-RADS, 49/76 benign masses were downgraded from BI-RADS category 4a into BI-RADS category 3, while no benign masses were upgraded from BI-RADS category 3 into BI-RADS category 4a. Three sub-centimeter malignant masses were downgraded from BI-RADS category 4a into BI-RADS category 3, while three malignant masses remain in BI-RADS category 3 due to a benign manifestation in both AP and qualitative SWE. Moreover, 5/6 of them were sub-centimeter masses, and 4/6 of them were intraductal carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC were 91.0%, 81.1%, 69.3%, 95.1%, 84.3%, and 0.861 (95% confidence interval, 0.806-0.916; P < 0.001), respectively. Compared with BI-RADS alone, the sensitivity slightly decreased, while the specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were significantly improved. Conclusion: Combination of qualitative SWE and AP with BI-RADS improved the diagnostic performance in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions, which is helpful for avoiding unnecessary biopsies. However, we should be careful about the downgrading of sub-centimeter BI-RADS 4a category lesions.

Targeted delivery of maytansine to liver cancer cells via galactose-modified supramolecular two-dimensional glycomaterial.

A two-dimensional (2D) glycomaterial for targeted delivery of maytansine to liver cancer cells was developed. Host-guest interaction between a galactosyl dye and human serum albumin (HSA) produces supramolecular galactoside-HSA conjugates, which are then used to coat 2D MoS2. The 2D glycomaterial was shown to be capable of the targeted delivery of maytansine to a liver cancer cell line that highly expresses a galactose receptor, resulting in greater cytotoxicity than maytansine alone.