Positively Photo-Responsive Adsorption Over Binary Copper Porphyrin Framework and Graphene Film Sorbents.

Photo-responsive adsorption has emerged as a vibrant area because it provides a promising route to reduce the energy consumption of the traditional adsorption separation. However, the current methodology to fabricate photo-responsive sorbents is still subject to the photo-deforming molecular units. In this study, a new initiative of photo-dissociated electron-hole pairs is proposed to generate amazing adsorption activity, and prove its feasibility. Employing CuPP [PP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin] framework nanosheets compounded with graphene, binary film (BF) sorbents are successfully fabricated. The paradigmatic BF nanostructure brings about efficiently photo-excited electron-hole pairs with durable enough lifetime to meet the needs of microscopic adsorption equilibrium, which ultimately alters the electron density distribution of adsorption surface, and thus markedly modulates the adsorption activity. Therefore, an amazing photo-enhanced adsorption capability for the index gas CO can be gotten. Once exposed to the visible-light at 420 nm, the CO adsorption capacity (0 °C, 1 bar) is risen from 0.23 mmol g-1 in the darkness to 1.66 mmol g-1, changed by + 622%. This is essentially different from majority of current photo-responsive sorbents based on photo-deforming molecular units, of which adsorption capability is only decreased with photo-induction, and the maximum rate of change reported is just -54%.

8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester protects against sleep deprivation-induced cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behaviors by regulating NLRP3 and Nrf2 pathways in mice.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is prevalent throughout the world, which has negative effects on cognitive abilities, and causing mood alterations. 8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methylester (8-OaS), a chief component in Lamiophlomis rotata (L. rotata) Kudo, possesses potent neuroprotective properties and analgesic effects. Here, we evaluated the alleviative effects of 8-OaS on memory impairment and anxiety in mice subjected to SD (for 72-h). Our results demonstrated that 8-OaS (0.2, 2, 20 mg/kg) administration dose-dependently ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in SD mice, accompanied with restored synaptic plasticity and reduced shrinkage and loss of hippocampal neurons. 8-OaS reduced the inflammatory response and oxidative stress injury in hippocampus caused by SD, which may be related to inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory process and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. SD also led to increases in the expressions of TLR-4/MyD88, active NF-κB, pro-IL-1ß, TNFα and MDA, as well as a decrease in the level of SOD in mice hippocampus, which were reversed by 8-OaS administration. Moreover, our molecular docking analyses showed that 8-OaS also has good affinity for NLRP3 and Nrf2 signaling pathways. These results suggested that 8-OaS could be used as a novel herbal medicine for the treatment of sleep loss and for use as a structural base for developing new drugs.

The effects of endodontic access cavity design on dentine removal and effectiveness of canal instrumentation in maxillary molars.

AIM: To evaluate in a laboratory setting, the impact of three designs of endodontic access cavities on dentine removal and effectiveness of canal instrumentation in extracted maxillary first molars using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). METHODOLOGY: A total of 30 extracted intact maxillary first molars were selected and scanned by micro-CT with a voxel size of 24 µm and randomly distributed into three groups: the traditional endodontic cavity (TEC) group, the conservative endodontic cavity (CEC) group and the guided endodontic cavity (GEC) group. The pulp chambers of teeth in the groups were accessed accordingly. After root canal preparation, the teeth were rescanned. The volume of dentine removed after canal preparation, the noninstrumented canal areas, canal transportation and centring ratio were analysed. Data were analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance. Tukey's post hoc test was used for multiple comparisons. The significance level was set at p < .05. RESULTS: The total volume of dentine removed was significantly greater in the TEC group after root canal preparation (p < .05). No significant differences in the volume of dentine removed occurred between the CEC and GEC groups (p > .05). The volume of dentine removed in the crown, pericervical dentine and coronal third of the canal was significantly lower in CEC and GEC groups when compared to that in the TEC group (p < .05), no difference was observed in the middle third of the canal and apical third of the canal amongst the three groups (p > .05). There was no significant difference in noninstrumented canal area, canal transportation and centring ratio amongst the TEC, CEC and GEC groups (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In extracted maxillary molars tested in a laboratory setting, CEC and GEC preserved more tooth tissue in the crown, pericervical dentine and coronal third of the canal compared with TEC after root canal preparation. The design of the endodontic access cavity did not impact on the effectiveness of canal instrumentation in terms of noninstrumented canal area, canal transportation and centring ratio.

Scutellarin ameliorates the stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by regulating neurotransmitters.

Anxiety disorders are a common frequently psychiatric symptom in patients that lead to disruption of daily life. Scutellarin (Scu) is the main component of Erigeron breviscapus, which has been used as a neuroprotective agent against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. However, the potential effect of Scu on the stress-related neuropsychological disorders has not been clarified. In this study, Anxiety-like behavior was induced by acute restraint stress in mice. Scu were injected intraperitoneally (twice daily, 3 days). Results showed that Scu exhibited good protective activity on mice by decreasing transmitter release levels. Restraint stress caused significant anxiety like behavior in mice. Treatment of Scu could significantly improve the moving time of open arms in Elevated Plus Maze and central time on open field test. Scu treatment suppressed action potential firing frequency, restored excessive presynaptic quantal release, and down-regulated glutamatergic receptor expression levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of stressed mice. GABAA Rα1 and GABAA γ2 expression in the brain PFC tissues of mice were nearly abrogated by Scu treatment. In stress-induced anxiety mice, stress can increase the frequency of mini excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC), which can be reversed by Scu treatment. Therefore, Scu has a potent anxiolytic activity and may be valuable for the treatment of stress-induced anxiety disorders.

Epigenetic suppression of liver X receptor ß in anterior cingulate cortex by HDAC5 drives CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain.

BACKGROUND: Liver X receptors (LXRs), including LXRα and LXRß, are key regulators of transcriptional programs for both cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation in the brain. Here, the modes of action of LXRs and the epigenetic mechanisms regulating LXRß expression in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) are investigated. METHODS: The deficit of LXR isoform and analgesic effect of LXR activation by GW3965 were evaluated using the mouse model of CIP induced by hindpaw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The mechanisms involved in GW-mediated analgesic effects were analyzed with immunohistochemical methods, ELISA, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), Western blot, and electrophysiological recording. The epigenetic regulation of LXRß expression was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time PCR, and sequencing. RESULTS: We revealed that CFA insult led to LXRß reduction in ACC, which was associated with upregulated expression of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), and knockdown of LXRß by shRNA led to thermal hyperalgesia. Co-IP showed that LXRß interacted with NF-κB p65 physically. LXRß activation by GW3965 exerted analgesic effects by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, reducing the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in ACC, and decreasing the promoted input-output and enhanced mEPSC frequency in ACC neurons after CFA exposure. In vitro experiments confirmed that HDAC5 triggered histone deacetylation on the promoter region of Lxrß, resulting in downregulation of Lxrß transcription. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight an epigenetic mechanism underlying LXRß deficits linked to CIP, and LXRß activation may represent a potential novel target for the treatment of CIP with an alteration in inflammation responses and synaptic transmission in ACC.

In Vitro Susceptibility of Berberine Combined with Antifungal Agents Against the Yeast Form of Talaromyces marneffei.

Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei can cause fatal disseminated infection in immunocompromised hosts. However, therapeutic strategies for the mycosis are limited. Reports of the other fungi suggest that berberine, a component of traditional herb, inhibitors interact with antifungal agents to improve the treatment outcomes. In the study, we evaluated the in vitro efficacy of berberine in combination with conventional antifungal agents against the pathogenic yeast form of T. marneffei. We demonstrate the synergistic effect of combination of berberine with fluconazole (52.38%), itraconazole (66.67%), voriconazole (71.43%), amphotericin B (71.43%) or caspofungin (52.38%) of T. marneffei strains, respectively. Time-kill curves confirmed the synergistic interaction, and no antagonistic was observed in all of the combinations. In conclusion, berberine could enhance the efficacy of conventional antifungal agents against the yeast form of T. marneffei in vitro. The results indicated berberine might have a potential role in combination therapy for talaromycosis.

Elevated progranulin contributes to synaptic and learning deficit due to loss of fragile X mental retardation protein.

Fragile X syndrome is an inheritable form of intellectual disability caused by loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP, encoded by the FMR1 gene). Absence of FMRP caused overexpression of progranulin (PGRN, encoded by GRN), a putative tumour necrosis factor receptor ligand. In the present study, we found that progranulin mRNA and protein were upregulated in the medial prefrontal cortex of Fmr1 knock-out mice. In Fmr1 knock-out mice, elevated progranulin caused insufficient dendritic spine pruning and late-phase long-term potentiation in the medial prefrontal cortex of Fmr1 knock-out mice. Partial progranulin knock-down restored spine morphology and reversed behavioural deficits, including impaired fear memory, hyperactivity, and motor inflexibility in Fmr1 knock-out mice. Progranulin increased levels of phosphorylated glutamate ionotropic receptor GluA1 and nuclear factor kappa B in cultured wild-type neurons. Tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 antibody perfusion blocked the effects of progranulin on GluA1 phosphorylation; this result indicates that tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 is required for progranulin-mediated GluA1 phosphorylation and late-phase long-term potentiation expression. However, high basal level of progranulin in Fmr1 knock-out mice prevented further facilitation of synaptic plasticity by exogenous progranulin. Partial downregulation of progranulin or tumour necrosis factor receptor 2/nuclear factor kappa B signalling restored synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in Fmr1 knock-out mice. These findings suggest that elevated PGRN is linked to cognitive deficits of fragile X syndrome, and the progranulin/tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 signalling pathway may be a putative therapeutic target for improving cognitive deficits in fragile X syndrome.

Picosecond mid-infrared optical parametric amplifier based on LiInSe2 with tenability extending from 3.6 to 4.8 µm.

A picosecond (ps) mid-infrared (MIR) optical parametric amplifier (OPA) with LiInSe2 crystal was demonstrated for the first time. The MIR OPA was pumped by a 30 ps 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser and injected by a barium boron oxide (BBO)-based widely tunable near-infrared seed. A maximum idler pulse energy of 433 µJ at 4 µm has been obtained under a pump energy of 17 mJ, and the corresponding pulse duration was estimated to be ~13 ps. To our knowledge, this is the highest single pulse energy generated by LiInSe2 crystal. Furthermore, an idler spectrum tuning from 3.6 to 4.8 µm was investigated at fixed pump energy of 15 mJ.

Neuroprotective effects of daphnetin against NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity.

The accumulation of glutamate can excessively activate the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and cause excitotoxicity. Daphnetin (Dap), a coumarin derivative, is a protein kinase inhibitor that exhibits antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. However, little is known about the neuroprotective effects of Dap on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. We evaluated the neuroprotective activities in the primary cultured cortical neurons against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Pretreatment with Dap significantly prevented NMDA-induced neuronal cell loss. Dap significantly inhibited the neuronal apoptosis by regulating balance of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Furthermore, pretreatment of Dap reversed the up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and inhibited the intracellular Ca2+ overload induced by NMDA exposure. In addition, Dap prevented cerebral ischemic injury in mice induced via a 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion and a 24 h reperfusion in vivo. The findings suggest that Dap prevents the excitotoxicity through inhibiting the NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and the subsequent calcium overload in cultured cortical neurons.

Comparing Equil patch versus traditional catheter insulin pump in type 2 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring metrics and profiles.

AIMS: It is not clear whether there are differences in glycemic control between the Equil patch and the MMT-712 insulin pump. Our objective was to compare two types of insulin pumps in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics and profiles. METHODS: This was a randomized case-crossover clinical trial. Participants were hospitalized and randomly allocated to two groups and underwent two types of insulin pump treatments (group A: Equil patch-Medtronic MMT-712 insulin pump; group B: Medtronic MMT-712-Equil patch insulin pump) separated by a 1-day washout period. Glycemic control was achieved after 7-8 days of insulin pump therapy. Each patient received CGM for 5 consecutive days (from day 1 to day 5). On day 3 of CGM performance, the Equil patch insulin pump treatment was switched to Medtronic MMT-712 insulin pump treatment at the same basal and bolus insulin doses or vice versa. CGM metrics and profiles including glycemic variability (GV), time in range (TIR, 3.9-10.0 mmol/L), time below range (TBR, <3.9 mmol/L), time above range (TAR, >10.0 mmol/L), and postprandial glucose excursions, as well as incidence of hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Forty-six T2DM patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in parameters of daily GV and postprandial glucose excursions between the Equil patch insulin pump treatment and the Medtronic insulin pump treatment. Similarly, there was no between-treatment difference in TIR, TBR, and TAR, as well as the incidence of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: The Equil patch insulin pump was similar to the traditional MMT-712 insulin pump in terms of glycemic control. Equil patch insulin pump is a reliable tool for glycemic management of diabetes mellitus.

Performance analysis of non-invasive prenatal testing for trisomy 13, 18, and 21: A large-scale retrospective study (2018-2021).

Background: Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) are used to screen for trisomy 21, 18, and 13. This study investigated NIPT performance and the clinical significance of its results. Methods: Pregnant women (n = 282,911) participating in a free NIPT (April 2018-December 2021) were screened for common trisomies, and the results were retrospectively analyzed. NIPT performance was evaluated by its positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and specificity. Results were analyzed using number, percentage, and chi-squared/t-test analyses. Results: After NIPT screening, patients with common trisomies (n = 746) included 457 with T21, 160 with T18, and 129 with T13. Seven false negative cases were identified. High PPV (86.81 %, 56.81 %, 18.18 %), sensitivity (99.25 %, 98.33 %, 100.00 %), and specificity (99.98 %, 99.98 %, 99.97 %) values were detected for trisomy 21, 18, and 13, respectively. The PPVs of common trisomies were significantly different between pregnant women older than 35 (85.53 %, 136/159) and those aged 35 or younger (58.90 %, 311/528) (χ2 = 125.02, P = 2.20e-16). As the NIPT uptake increased from 2018 to 2021, live-born birth defect incidence decreased. Conclusion: NIPT performed well in screening for T21, T18, and T13. Our discoveries offer an important and useful guideline in laboratory and clinical genetic counseling.

Validation of HPLC method for the determination of polydatin in giant knotweed rhizome.

An HPLC method has been developed to determine polydatin in giant knotweed rhizome. In order to systematically validate the method, specificity, precision, linearity of reference solution and test solution, repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, stability and robustness were measured. In the robustness test, a one-variable-at-a-time procedure was applied to evaluate the influence of slight variations in method factors, including the flow rate, the column temperature, the extraction time, and etc., on the assay result of polydatin. No significant differences were found when the process parameters changed during the experimental domain. And system suitability test limits were defined based on the robustness test. Results showed that the developed method was accurate, reproducible and robust.

[Construction and expression of the Echinococcus granulosus recombinant BCG-EgG1Y162].

OBJECTIVE: To construct and express Echinococcus granulosus recombinant bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) strain rBCG-EgG1Y162. METHODS: The encoding gene of the antigen EgG1Y162 of E. granulosus was recombined with E. coli-Mycobacterium shuttle expression plasmid vector pMV361 by genetic engineering technique, and transformed into E. coli for amplification. The recombinant plasmid rpMV-EgG1Y162 was identified by PCR, double digestion with restriction enzymes, and sequence analysis. The confirmed rpMV-EgG1Y162 was transformed into BCG strain via electroporation technique to construct the recombinant rBCG-EgG1Y162. After identification by PCR and double digestion with restriction enzymes, the recombinant strain was cultured for about 2 weeks. In order to induce the expression of target protein, the rBCG was placed in 45 degrees C for 30 min. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were used to analyze the expressive protein. RESULTS: The product of recombinant plasmid rpMV-EgG1Y162 was approximately 360 bp by PCR amplification and double digestion with restriction enzymes, consistent with the expected fragment length. Sequencing results showed that the inserted sequence was correct. The rBCG-EgG1Y162 grew well and the identification of PCR and enzyme digestion revealed accuracy. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that the relative molecular weight (M(r)) of the protein was about 71 000. CONCLUSION: The E. granulosus rBCG-EgG1Y162 strain is constructed and expressed.

Hand grip strength is inversely associated with total daily insulin dose requirement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Short-term (2 weeks to 3 months) insulin intensive therapy using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) can improve islet beta cell function and prolong glycemic remission in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the total daily insulin dose (TDD, IU/kg/d) required to achieve near-normoglycemic control with CSII still needs to be frequently adjusted based on blood glucose monitoring. Although real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM), which measures the interstitial fluid glucose concentration continuously without much difficulty, facilitates the adjustment of insulin dosage, its adoption in the T2DM population is strictly limited by insurance coverage and lack of awareness of rtCGM among clinicians. Thus, it is of clinical significance to identify easy-to-use parameters that may allow a more rapid and accurate prediction of TDD requirement. This study aimed to explore the association between hand grip strength (HGS) and TDD requirement in patients with T2DM receiving CSII therapy. Methods: A total of 180 eligible patients with T2DM were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups based on their HGS: low (L), medium (M), and high (H). The TDD requirement was calculated on day 7 or 8 of CSII treatment. Anthropometric parameters, including HGS, skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index (SMI) and 6-m gait speed, and laboratory data, were collected on the morning of the second day after admission, within the first 24 h of CSII therapy. These parameters were used to identify significant predictors of TDD requirement using Pearson or Spearman correlation test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in age, duration of T2DM, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, liver function, estimated glomerular filtration rate, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-ß) among the groups. The H group had higher body muscle mass-to-fat ratio (BMFR), skeletal muscle mass-to-fat ratio (SMFR), SMI, 6-m gait speed, and lower TDD requirement than the M and L groups. The HGS negatively correlated with TDD requirement (r = -0.33, p < 0.001) after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, WHR, HbA1c, Ln (HOMA-ß), Ln (HOMA-IR), Ln (BMFR), Ln (SMFR), SMI, and 6-m gait speed. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis indicated that HGS was an independent predictor of TDD requirement in patients with T2DM (ß = -0.45, p < 0 001). Conclusion: Lower HGS is associated with an increased TDD requirement in T2DM patients. HGS may facilitate the prediction of TDD requirement in T2DM patients receiving CSII therapy.

Improvement of Learning and Memory by Elevating Brain D-Aspartate in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited human mental retardation that arises from expansion of a CGG repeat in the Fmr1 gene, causing loss of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). It is reported that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated facilitation of long-term potentiation (LTP) and fear memory are impaired in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice. In this study, biological, pharmacological, and electrophysiological techniques were performed to determine the roles of D-aspartate (D-Asp), a modulator of NMDAR, and its metabolizing enzyme D-aspartate oxidase (DDO) in Fmr1 KO mice. Levels of D-Asp were decreased in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC ); however, the levels of its metabolizing enzyme DDO were increased. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that oral drinking of D-Asp recovered LTP induction in mPFC from Fmr1 KO mice. Moreover, chronic oral administration of D-Asp reversed behavioral deficits of cognition and locomotor coordination in Fmr1 KO mice. The therapeutic action of D-Asp was partially through regulating functions of NMDARs and mGluR5/mTOR/4E-BP signaling pathways. In conclusion, supplement of D-Asp may benefit for synaptic plasticity and behaviors in Fmr1 KO mice and offer a potential therapeutic strategy for FXS.

Prognostic nomograms for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with nodal features and potential indication for N staging system: Validation and comparison of seven N stage schemes.

PURPOSE: To identify the prognostic value of the nodal features, propose a nomogram-based N stage system and evaluate the performance of seven N stage schemes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. METHODS: Data from 1638 non-distant metastatic NPC patients were used to develop nomograms predicting 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Based on nomogram and multivariate analyses, a new N-stage scheme was proposed. The performance of the nomogram-based N staging system was assessed against five newly proposed N staging systems and the current 8th N staging system using a quantitative model to compare hazard consistency, discrimination, outcome prediction, and sample size balance. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests was used to compare survival differences. RESULTS: Nomograms to predict OS and DMFS were constructed using extranodal extension infiltrating the surrounding structures (ENEmax), maximal axial diameter (MAD), large retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLN, minimal axial diameter > 1.5 cm), multiple central nodal necrosis (CNN), and total lymph node (LN) number and level. Multivariate analysis showed the independent prognostic value of ENEmax and MAD > 3 cm for all selected survival endpoints (p < 0.05). Large RLN and lower neck involvement were independently associated with OS (p < 0.05). We proposed using a large RLN and MAD > 3 cm as N2 factors, and ENEmax and lower neck involvement as N3 factors. Among the seven N-stage schemes, our nomogram-based N scheme and ENEmax to N3 scheme (ENE3) ranked in the top two in the overall comparison with the elevated outcome predicting value (highest c-index). However, between the N0, N1, N1, and N2 subgroups, the ENE3 scheme showed no difference in OS or DMFS (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The predictive model highlighted the independent prognostic value of ENEmax, cervical lymph node, MAD, and large RLN, which can be used as criteria for future N staging.

[Dynamic change of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in the liver of Echinococcus multilocularis-infected mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic expression and function of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in liver of BALB/c mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis (Em). METHODS: Sixty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into experiment group and control group. Mice in the experiment group were each injected with 0.2 ml Em protoscolex suspension (containing about 400 protoscoleces) , while those in control group received same volume of normal saline. At 2, 8, 30, 90, 180, and 360 d after infection, 5 mice from each group were sacrificed and liver specimens were collected for pathological examination and immunohistochemical detection for IL-10 and TGF-beta1. RESULTS: In mice of the experiment group, Em cysts in different sizes were found in the abdominal cavity and the liver tissue, which gradually enlarged with the time. HE staining showed infiltration of lymphocytes in liver tissue, pathological change between the cyst wall and hepatic cells. In the control, the liver lobules showed integrity and inflammatory cells were seen occasionally. The level of IL-10 expression in liver tissue of the infected mice increased with the time, and reached a peak [(1639 +/- 1.73) %] at 90 d post-infection and maintained a high level thereafter. The expression of TGF-beta1 also reached the highest level [(23.69 +/- 2.29) %] . Both were significantly higher than the control (P < 0.01), though a low level expression was found in the control at 90d post-injection. CONCLUSION: The expressions of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 both increase in the middle and late stages of the infection. Besides, their inhibited functions do not be helpful for clearing and controlling Echinococcus multilocularis infection in livers.

[Bioinformatics prediction of egA31 recombinant antigen epitopes of Echinococcus granulosus].

Specific primers were designed and synthesized based on the reported EgA31 gene of Echinococcus granulosus (GenBank Accession No. AF067807). Total RNA was extracted from E. granulosus and its EgA31 gene was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR product was purified and cloned into plasmid pUCM-T, then transformed into Escherichia coli DH5alpha. The recombinant plasmids were screened and identified by digestion with restriction enzyme and PCR amplification. The positive recombinant plasmid pUCM-T/EgA31 was confirmed by sequencing and homology comparison. Five parameters and methods were used to predict B-cell epitopes in amino acid sequence of EgA31. The amplified DNA fragment (636 bp) had an identity of 100% with the EgA31 gene sequence of E. granulosus. B-cell and T-cell epitopes of EgA31 were probably at or adjacent to 32-79, 79-95, 105-124 and 141-154 in its amino acid sequence.

Dissecting the heterogeneity of the microenvironment in primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas using single-cell RNA sequencing.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a 10-15% recurrence rate, while no long term or durable treatment options are currently available. Single-cell profiling in recurrent NPC (rNPC) may aid in designing effective anticancer therapies, including immunotherapies. For the first time, we profiled the transcriptomes of ∼60,000 cells from four primary NPC and two rNPC cases to provide deeper insights into the dynamic changes in rNPC within radiation fields. Heterogeneity of both immune cells (T, natural killer, B, and myeloid cells) and tumor cells was characterized. Recurrent samples showed increased infiltration of regulatory T cells in a highly immunosuppressive state and CD8+ T cells in a highly cytotoxic and dysfunctional state. Enrichment of M2-polarized macrophages and LAMP3+ dendritic cells conferred enhanced immune suppression to rNPC. Furthermore, malignant cells showed enhanced immune-related features, such as antigen presentation. Elevated regulatory T cell levels were associated with a worse prognosis, with certain receptor-ligand communication pairs identified in rNPC. Even with relatively limited samples, our study provides important clues to complement the exploitation of rNPC immune environment and will help advance targeted immunotherapy of rNPC.

The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl Extract in Sleep Deprivation-Induced Amnesic Mice.

Chronic sleep deprivation (SD) causes neurological and neurodegenerative dysfunction including learning and memory deficit. The orchid Dendrobium nobile Lindl (DNL), is widely used as a Yin tonic and medicinal food throughout Asia, and has many reported pharmacological effects. This study focused on the cognitive-enhancing effects of DNL in sleep deprivation-induced amnesia in mice and its biochemical mechanisms. Our results showed that the mice displayed significant cognitive deficits after 2-week SD while treatment with the extract of DNL prevented these impairments. In the novel object recognition and object location recognition tasks, a significant increase in the discrimination index was observed in DNL-treated (200 and 400 mg/kg) mice. In the MWM test, DNL (200 and 400 mg/kg) treatment shorten the prolongation of latency and increased the crossing numbers compared with SD mice. The biochemical analysis of brain tissue showed a decrease in NE, dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and an increase in 5-HT and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration after the treatment with DNL in mice. Our findings indicated that DNL exerted a positive effect in preventing and improving cognitive impairment induced by SD, which may be mediated via the regulation of neurotransmitters and alleviation of oxidative stress.