Modeling for COVID-19 college reopening decisions: Cornell, a case study.

We consider epidemiological modeling for the design of COVID-19 interventions in university populations, which have seen significant outbreaks during the pandemic. A central challenge is sensitivity of predictions to input parameters coupled with uncertainty about these parameters. Nearly 2 y into the pandemic, parameter uncertainty remains because of changes in vaccination efficacy, viral variants, and mask mandates, and because universities' unique characteristics hinder translation from the general population: a high fraction of young people, who have higher rates of asymptomatic infection and social contact, as well as an enhanced ability to implement behavioral and testing interventions. We describe an epidemiological model that formed the basis for Cornell University's decision to reopen for in-person instruction in fall 2020 and supported the design of an asymptomatic screening program instituted concurrently to prevent viral spread. We demonstrate how the structure of these decisions allowed risk to be minimized despite parameter uncertainty leading to an inability to make accurate point estimates and how this generalizes to other university settings. We find that once-per-week asymptomatic screening of vaccinated undergraduate students provides substantial value against the Delta variant, even if all students are vaccinated, and that more targeted testing of the most social vaccinated students provides further value.

Suppression of DNMT2/3 by proinflammatory cytokines inhibits CtBP1/2-dependent genes to promote the occurrence of atrophic nonunion.

Failure of bone healing after fracture often results in nonunion, but the underlying mechanism of nonunion pathogenesis is poorly understood. Herein, we provide evidence to clarify that the inflammatory microenvironment of atrophic nonunion (AN) mice suppresses the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases 2 (DNMT2) and 3A (DNMT3a), preventing the methylation of CpG islands on the promoters of C-terminal binding protein 1/2 (CtBP1/2) and resulting in their overexpression. Increased CtBP1/2 acts as transcriptional corepressors that, along with histone acetyltransferase p300 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), suppress the expression levels of six genes involved in bone healing: BGLAP (bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein), ALPL (alkaline phosphatase), SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1), COL1A1 (collagen 1a1), IBSP (integrin binding sialoprotein), and MMP13 (matrix metallopeptidase 13). We also observe a similar phenomenon in osteoblast cells treated with proinflammatory cytokines or treated with a DNMT inhibitor (5-azacytidine). Forced expression of DNMT2/3a or blockage of CtBP1/2 with their inhibitors can reverse the expression levels of BGLAP/ALPL/SPP1/COL1A1/IBSP/MMP13 in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines. Administration of CtBP1/2 inhibitors in fractured mice can prevent the incidence of AN. Thus, we demonstrate that the downregulation of bone healing genes dependent on proinflammatory cytokines/DNMT2/3a/CtBP1/2-p300-Runx2 axis signaling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of AN. Disruption of this signaling may represent a new therapeutic strategy to prevent AN incidence after bone fracture.

The stray light induced redshift of absorption peaks of inorganic anions in the far ultraviolet region-an "artifact".

In the analytical process of spectrophotometry, the prerequisite for accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis is obtaining the intrinsic spectra of the analyte. However, the intrinsic properties of spectra can sometimes be masked by easily overlooked non-intrinsic factors, such as those from measuring instruments, leading to erroneous spectral identification. In this study, we documented an unusual redshift phenomenon in the far ultraviolet spectral region. With a spectrophotometer under the nitrogen atmosphere, we selected 14 representative inorganic anions and investigated their absorption spectral behaviors at different optical pathlengths and concentrations. It was intriguing to observe that the absorption peaks with maximum absorption wavelengths below a watershed wavelength of 200 nm underwent a redshift as pathlength and concentration increased, while those above 200 nm did not exhibit a significant redshift phenomenon. In-depth formula simulations and experimental verifications demonstrated that this peculiar spectral behavior was caused by unavoidable stray light in the spectrophotometer. Some methodological and instrumental recommendations are given in the paper. Our study results may serve as a reminder to carefully identify non-intrinsic phenomena when studying absorption spectra in the far ultraviolet region, and provide guidance on spectral corrections in scientific research and practical applications.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products promotes atrophic nonunion incidence in mice through a CtBP1/2-dependent mechanism.

Atrophic nonunion (AN) is a complex and poorly understood pathological condition resulting from impaired fracture healing. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several bone disorders, including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. However, the role of AGEs in the development of AN remains unclear. This study found that mice fed a high-AGE diet had a higher incidence of atrophic nonunion (AN) compared to mice fed a normal diet following tibial fractures. AGEs induced two C-terminal binding proteins (CtBPs), CtBP1 and CtBP2, which were necessary for the development of AN in response to AGE accumulation. Feeding a high-AGE diet after fracture surgery in CtBP1/2-/- and RAGE-/- (receptor of AGE) mice did not result in a significant occurrence of AN. Molecular investigation revealed that CtBP1 and CtBP2 formed a heterodimer that was recruited by histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) to assemble a complex. The CtBP1/2-HDAC1-Runx2 complex was responsible for the downregulation of two classes of bone development and differentiation genes, including bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These findings demonstrate that AGE accumulation promotes the incidence of AN in a CtBP1/2-dependent manner, possibly by modulating genes related to bone development and fracture healing. These results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of AN and suggest new therapeutic targets for its prevention and treatment.

Inhibition of AIF-1 alleviates laser-induced macular neovascularization by inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation via restrained p44/42 MAPK signaling pathway.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading blinding disease worldwide, and macular neovascularization (MNV) is a common complication encountered in the advanced stages of AMD. While the underlying causes of MNV remain elusive, aberrant multiplication of choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) and increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to play significant roles in the occurrence and development of MNV. Allograft inflammatory factor-1(AIF-1) is a crucial regulatory factor of vascular tubular structure formation and growth, involving the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and various tumor cells. This study aimed to understand how AIF-1 effects the proliferation of CECs and the subsequent progression of MNV. To study this, a mouse MNV model was established through laser injury, and the AIF-1 expression levels were then measured using western blot and immunohistochemistry. AIF-1 siRNA was intravitreally injected to silence AIF-1 gene expression. Western blot and choroidal flat mount were performed to measure the progression of MNV and proliferation of the CECs. These results showed that the protein expression of AIF-1 was significantly elevated in the laser-induced mouse MNV model, and the expression trend was consistent with VEGF. The protein level of AIF-1 was significantly decreased after the intravitreal injection of AIF-1 siRNA, the damage range of laser lesions was significantly reduced, and the proliferation of endothelial cells was inhibited. Knockdown of the AIF-1 gene significantly inhibited the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase p44/42 in MNV lesions. In summary, this research demonstrates that AIF-1 promoted MNV progression by promoting the proliferation of CECs and that silencing AIF-1 significantly ameliorates MNV progression in mouse models, which may act through the p44/42 MAPK signaling pathway. AIF-1 could be a new potential molecular target for MNV.

Electronic Excitation Characteristics and Spectral Behavior of Phosphate Anions.

Absorption spectra are fundamental bases for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the target chemical, and the development of an analytical model can be improved by studying its characteristics and rules. In the present study, the electronic excitation characteristics of phosphate anions (H2PO4-, HPO42-, and PO43-) were analyzed based on the charge-transfer spectrum. In addition, the absorption spectra of phosphate anions at the energy level of PBE0/6-311+G (d,p) were recorded based on the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method. Different (HPO42-)n·(H2O)10-n molecular clusters were theoretically constructed, and the combined TD-DFT method and independent gradient model revealed that red shift of the maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) with the increase of phosphate anion concentration (0-10 mM) may be caused by the decrease of hydrogen bond interaction. In addition, the prominent dispersion in the short-wave region mainly resulted in the red shift of λmax with the increase in optical path length (1-100 mm). Moreover, with the increase in spectral bandwidth (0.4-3.0 nm), λmax slightly blue-shifted because of the increase in energy through the slit, and repeatability of the corresponding absorbance measurement at λmax gradually improved. As the spectral bandwidth increased, light monochromaticity became poor, resulting in the decrease of the linearly fitted correlation coefficient of the concentration-absorbance curve. Finally, the multivariate analysis of variance results showed that the optical path length was the most significant factor that influenced the absorption spectral characteristics of phosphate anions. This study provides a basis for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of phosphate anions by using absorption spectra and also renders a theoretical reference for absorption spectroscopy of other chemicals.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed from saliva metabolic profiling.

Saliva is a noninvasive biofluid that can contain metabolite signatures of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Conductive polymer spray ionization mass spectrometry (CPSI-MS) is employed to record a wide range of metabolite species within a few seconds, making this technique appealing as a point-of-care method for the early detection of OSCC. Saliva samples from 373 volunteers, 124 who are healthy, 124 who have premalignant lesions, and 125 who are OSCC patients, were collected for discovering and validating dysregulated metabolites and determining altered metabolic pathways. Metabolite markers were reconfirmed at the primary tissue level by desorption electrospray ionization MS imaging (DESI-MSI), demonstrating the reliability of diagnoses based on saliva metabolomics. With the aid of machine learning (ML), OSCC and premalignant lesions can be distinguished from the normal physical condition in real time with an accuracy of 86.7%, on a person by person basis. These results suggest that the combination of CPSI-MS and ML is a feasible tool for accurate, automated diagnosis of OSCC in clinical practice.

Comparative Investigation of the Spectroscopic Behavior Based on High-Concentrated Solution in Nitrogen and Air Atmospheres.

In order to accurately obtain photometric information of high concentration SO42- and other substances in the process industry, the spectroscopy behavior of SO42-, S2-, Ni2+ and Cu2+ in air and nitrogen atmosphere was compared based on the UV-visible spectrophotometer with a nitrogen replacing the oxygen. Different from Ni2+ and Cu2+, the accuracy of SO42- and S2- in the ultraviolet region was effectively improved by using a nitrogen atmosphere (P detection results were regressed within the limited standard range, RE < 5%). The nitrogen atmosphere suppressed the additional light attenuation caused by its absorption of ultraviolet rays by isolating oxygen and was also reflected in the decrease in the degree of red shift of the characteristic wavelength for SO42- with increasing concentration. Therefore, the detection results of SO42- showed an effective improvement in sensitivity. Nevertheless, according to the complementary experimental results and theoretical calculations, in addition to oxygen absorption, the low detection accuracy of SO42- high concentration is also attributed to the reduction of the energy required for electronic excitation per unit group caused by the interaction between SO42- groups, resulting in a deviation of the C-A curve from linearity at high concentrations. The influence of this intermolecular force on the detection results is far more important than oxygen absorption. The research can provide reliable theoretical guidance and technical support for the pollution-free direct measurement of high-concentration solutions in the process industry and promote the sustainable development of the process industry.

Efficacy and safety of miconazole muco-adhesive tablet versus itraconazole in oropharyngeal candidiasis: A randomized, multi-centered, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is an opportunistic infection treated with anti-fungal agents. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of miconazole buccal tablets (MBT) and itraconazole capsules in the localized treatment of patients with OPC. In this multi-centered, double-blinded, phase III trial (CTR20130414), both males and non-pregnant females (≥18 years) with OPC were randomized (1:1) to MBT plus placebo (experimental group) or itraconazole capsules plus placebo (control group). The primary endpoint was clinical cure at the end-of-treatment period [visit 4 (V4)] while secondary endpoints were clinical remission rates, partial remission rates, mycological cure, clinical relapse, and adverse events (AEs). All endpoints were statistically analyzed in both the full analysis set (FAS) and per-protocol (PP) set. A total of 431 (experimental: 216; control: 215) subjects were included. At V4, in the FAS set, the clinical cure was achieved in 68% and 59% patients in experimental and control groups, respectively with a treatment difference of 9% [95% confidence interval (CI): -1,19; P < .001] demonstrating non-inferiority of MBT over itraconazole. At V4, mycological cure rates were 68.2% and 42.0% in the experimental group and control groups (P < .001), respectively in FAS. The relapse rates were 5.4% and 6.6%, respectively, in the experimental and control groups. A total of 210 patients experienced AEs during treatment with 47.7% in the experimental group and 49.8% in the control group with no deaths. This study demonstrated that once-daily treatment with MBT was non-inferior to itraconazole with higher mycological cure rates and was tolerable with mild AE in patients with OPC.

Miconazole is an antifungal drug against certain types of fungus or yeast infections. In this study, we showed that treatment with once-daily miconazole buccal tablets was as effective as systemic itraconazole capsules in Chinese patients infected by oropharyngeal candidiasis with minimum side effects.

miRNA and mRNA expression analysis reveals the effects of continuous heat stress on antibacterial responses to Aeromonas hydrophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is the largest economic fish in freshwater culture in China, which is predisposed to infectious diseases under high temperature. Under the background of global warming, the industrialization of the Pearl River Delta region has led to aggravated thermal pollution, which has increasingly serious impacts on the aquatic ecological environment. This will result in more frequent exposure of grass carp to overheated water temperatures. Previous studies have only identified the regulatory genes of fish that respond to pathogens or temperature stress, but the transcriptional response to both is unknown. In this study, the histopathological analysis showed heat stress exacerbated spleen damage induced by Aeromonas hydrophila. The transcriptional responses of the spleens from A. hydrophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -injected grass carp undergoing heat stress and at normal temperatures for 6, 24, and 72 h were investigated by mRNA and microRNA sequencing. We identified 28, 20, and 141 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and 126, 383, and 4841 DE mRNAs between the two groups after 6, 24, and 72 h, respectively. There were 67 DE genes mainly involved in the cytochrome P450 pathway, antioxidant defense, inflammatory response, pathogen recognition pathway, antigen processing and presentation, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. There were 5 DE miRNAs involved in regulating apoptosis and inflammation. We further verified 17 DE mRNAs and 5 DE miRNAs using quantitative real-time PCR. Based on miRNAs and mRNAs analysis, continuous heat stress will affect the antibacterial responses of grass carp spleens, resulting in aggravation of spleen injury. Together, these results provide data for further understanding of the decreased tolerance of fish to pathogen infection in persistent high-temperature environments.

Application of a luminous intensity variation fluorescent probe for the detection of ferric ions.

A luminous intensity variation fluorescent probe (Probe 1) for the detection of ferric ion was developed. The quantitative range of Fe3+ content detected was 0-600 µM with the limit of detection at 0.76 µM. Furthermore, after 20 min of Fe3+ addition, the intensity of the luminescence of Probe 1 solution gradually decreased with increase in Fe3+ concentration. In addition, the B and G values of these images showed a linear relationship with Fe3+ concentration (0-500 µM). Probe 1 was successfully used for the rapid determination of Fe3+ concentration in real samples. This study demonstrates that Probe 1 is an excellent tool for the rapid determination of Fe3+ content in real samples using a smart phone without professional equipment.

A novel fluorescence probe for the detection of water content in organic solvents and the distinction between deuterated and nondeuterated reagents.

A novel D-π-A type fluorescent probe (probe 1) was developed for water content detection in organic solvents. By analyzing the relationship between fluorescence and water content, the probe was successfully applied to determine trace water content in tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, 2-butanone, acetone, dimethylformamide, and acetonitrile. High water content in THF and ethyl acetate was associated with a gradual colour change from yellowish green to earthy yellow. The red/green value had a linear relationship with the water content in THF and ethyl acetate. There was a linear relationship between the red/blue value and water content in 2-butanone and acetone. Furthermore, probe 1 could be used for human serum albumin detection. Unexpectedly, probe 1 had a different colour response in deuterated and nondeuterated solvents, and had different fluorescence intensity and fluorescence emission wavelength. Probe 1 is rare tool that can distinguish between deuterated and nondeuterated reagents.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of revision with autogenous "structured" bone grafting combined with superior plate for recalcitrant atrophic nonunion of clavicular midshaft: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of autogenous "structured" bone grafting (ASBG), it was combined with superior plate (SP) revision operations for recalcitrant clavicular midshaft aseptic nonunion (CMAN). METHODS: This retrospective study included 12 patients who suffered from failure of autologous cancellous bone grafting (ACBG) and SP fixation because of CMAN. Visual analogue scale (VAS) data for pain and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores of patients who underwent these procedures from January 2019 to December 2020, obtained before surgery and at the final follow-up time, were analysed. RESULTS: The average time between primitive fracture and this operative treatment was 29 months (15-38 months). The average duration of surgery was 153 minutes (range, 115-230 min), and the average blood loss was 560 ml (range, 350-860 ml). Complications occurred in two cases (16.67%): one was persistent pain at the donor site, and the other was a calf muscle vein thrombosis. No tissue infection was observed during follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 18 months (range, 12-30 months). All fractures progressed to osseous healing at a mean time of 14 weeks (range, 12-16 weeks). The mean pain VAS score significantly improved, from 4.8 ± 1.7 pre-operatively to 1.9 ± 1.1 at the final follow-up (P = 0.01). The mean DASH score improved significantly from 30.1 ± 11.2 pre-operatively to 7.8 ± 4. 2 at the final follow-up (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ASBG combined with SP revision surgery achieved excellent clinical outcomes in patients with recalcitrant CMAN.

Inorganic-Ligand Quantum Dots Meet Inorganic-Ligand Semiconductor Nanoplatelets: A Promising Fusion to Construct All-Inorganic Assembly.

By the reaction of inorganic-ligand CdS/Cd2+ quantum dots (QDs) with inorganic-ligand CdSe/CdS/S2- nanoplatelets (NPLs), semiconductor CdS QDs were fused with CdSe/CdS NPLs to yield all-inorganic assemblies, accompanied by great photoluminescence-enhancement. These all-inorganic assemblies facilitate charge transport between each other and open up interesting prospects with electronic and optoelectronic nanodevices.

One-Step verse Step-Up Laparoscopic-Assisted Necrosectomy for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous or endoscopic drainage was usually performed as the first step in step-up approach for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). However, drainage was unnecessary or unavailable in some patients. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the safety and effect of one-step laparoscopic-assisted necrosectomy in IPN patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of IPN patients received surgical therapy in our center between January 2015 and December 2017 was performed. Patients were assigned to either one-step or step-up groups according to the received therapeutic approach. Incidence of complications, death, total number of interventions, and total hospital stay were compared. Logistic regression and nomogram were used to explore the risk factors and probability for patients undergoing interventions ≥3 times. RESULTS: There were 45 and 49 patients included in one-step and step-up groups, respectively. No significant difference between groups in terms of new organ failure (14.29 vs. 14.33%, p = 0.832), death (8.89 vs.8.17%, p = 0.949), and long-term complications (18.37 vs. 15.56%, p = 0.717). However, the number of interventions in one-step group was significantly less than in step-up group with shorter hospital stay. After multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and surgical approach were independent predicators for patients undergoing interventions ≥3. A nomogram was built with area under ROC curve 0.891. CONCLUSION: Compared with step-up approach, one-step surgery was safe and effective in selected IPN patients with less interventions and shorter hospital stay.

The Abdominal Transplant Surgery Workforce: Current state and future trends.

Transplant surgical workforce concerns have arisen in the last 5 years as reflected in challenges securing job opportunities for new fellows. The present survey was designed by the ASTS Membership and Workforce Committee to describe the current practice characteristics of transplant centers in order to estimate changes in the workforce. The survey questionnaire requested information about the transplant programs, the transplant surgeons involved in the program, and the estimated changes in the staffing of the program over the next 3 years. Seventy-one transplant centers responded from a total of 235 identified and queried (30.2% response rate), with median responding centers per UNOS region of 7 (IQR 4.5-8.5). The recruitment outlook for the next 3 years forecasts a positive inflow of surgeons at a 2:1 rate (incoming:leaving). The new female transplant workforce within the responding cohort has increased from 3.7% in 1980 to 18.4% in 2010. Currently, 13.1% of practicing US transplant surgeons in this survey are female which is higher than many other surgical specialties. This report represents the most up-to-date view into the abdominal transplant surgical workforce. The positive job recruitment outlook for transplant surgeons and the narrowing gender gap are new findings from this study.

Exploration of cultivable fungal communities in deep coal-bearing sediments from ∼1.3 to 2.5 km below the ocean floor.

Although subseafloor sediments are known to harbour a vast number of microbial cells, the distribution, diversity, and origins of fungal populations remain largely unexplored. In this study, we cultivated fungi from 34 of 47 deep coal-associated sediment samples collected at depths ranging from 1289 to 2457 m below the seafloor (mbsf) off the Shimokita Peninsula, Japan (1118 m water depth). We obtained a total of 69 fungal isolates under strict contamination controls, representing 61 Ascomycota (14 genera, 23 species) and 8 Basidiomycota (4 genera, 4 species). Penicillium and Aspergillus relatives were the most dominant genera within the Ascomycetes, followed by the members of genera Cladosporium, Hamigera, Chaetomium, Eutypella, Acremonium, Aureobasidium, Candida, Eurotium, Exophiala, Nigrospora, Bionectria and Pseudocercosporella. Four Basidiomycota species were identified as genera Schizophyllum, Irpex, Bjerkandera and Termitomyces. Among these isolates, Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Aspergillus sydowii relatives were isolated from a thin lignite coal-sandstone formation at 2457 mbsf. Our results indicate that these cultivable fungal populations are indigenous, originating from past terrigenous environments, which have persisted, possibly as spores, through ∼20 million years of depositional history.

Cigarette Smoke Modulates NOD1 Signal Pathway and Human ß Defensins Expression in Human Oral Mucosa.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) signal pathway and human ß defensins (hBDs) play crucial roles in innate immune. Cigarette smoke has been confirmed to dampen innate immune in some human tissues, such as oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of smoking on NOD1 signaling and hBDs expression in oral mucosa. METHODS: Tissue specimens of normal oral mucosa were collected from donors undergoing routine surgical treatment. All 20 participants were classified equally as two groups: non-smokers and smokers. By using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we investigated differential expression of crucial molecules in NOD1 signal pathway, hBD-1, -2, and -3 in oral mucosa tissues between non-smokers and smokers. Immortalized human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cells were treated with various concentrations of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 24h. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were performed to study CSE-induced alteration of protein expression. Leuk-1 cells were treated with 4% CSE, iE-DAP (NOD1 agonist), CSE + iE-DAP, BAY 11-7082 (NF-κB inhibitor), 4% CSE + BAY 11-7082, respectively. Real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to detect the mRNA levels and secretion of hBD-1, -2, and -3, respectively. RESULTS: The levels of NOD1, NF-κB, hBD-1 and hBD-3 significantly reduced in oral mucosa tissues of smokers compared with non-smokers. The levels of RIP2 (receptor-interacting protein 2), phospho-NF-κB (P-NF-κB) and hBD-2 remarkably enhanced in oral mucosal tissues of smokers. CSE treatment suppressed NOD1 and NF-κB expression and activated RIP2 and P-NF-κB expression in Leuk-1 cells. The mRNA and secretory levels of hBD-1 and -3 were down-regulated by CSE, while the mRNA and secretory level of hBD-2 were up-regulated by CSE. The iE-DAP or BAY 11-7082 treatment reversed the regulatory effects of CSE on levels of hBDs. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that cigarette smoke could potentially modulate the expression of crucial molecules of NOD1 signal pathway and hBDs in human oral mucosal epithelium. NOD1 signal pathway could play an important role in the regulatory effects of CSE on hBDs levels in oral mucosal epithelial cells.

Hydroxychloroquine decreases the upregulated frequencies of Tregs in patients with oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVE: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have emerged as important mediators in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We investigated the possible involvement of Tregs in oral lichen planus (OLP) and the influence of clinical therapy (hydroxychloroquine and prednisone) on the frequencies of Tregs in OLP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty patients diagnosed with OLP were the study cohort. Levels of Tregs in blood and tissues were detected using flow cytometry and immunostaining, respectively. Cytokine production was assessed using a proteome profiler array and determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression of transcription factors was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Hydroxychloroquine or prednisone was used to treat patients randomly. The frequency of Tregs was detected before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with healthy volunteers, OLP patients had a higher proportion of Tregs in serum and tissues before treatment (P < 0.001). Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients than those in healthy controls. mRNA expression of Treg-related genes, including TGF-ß, IL-10, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, and GATA binding protein 3, were upregulated significantly in OLP patients. The frequency of Tregs was downregulated after hydroxychloroquine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Tregs may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of OLP and may provide a new therapeutic target for OLP treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T cell-mediated immune dysfunction may have a crucial role in OLP development. However, T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 imbalance does not appear to be sufficient to understand the pathogenesis of OLP. This is the first study to show that Tregs are involved in the immunopathogenesis of OLP.

Research Progress on the Application of Multifunctional Amino Derivative Fluorescent Probes in Food, the Environment, and the Microenvironment.

The amino group is regarded as a multifunctional recognition group in fluorescent probes. It is nucleophilic, a strong electron-donating group and is a polar group with active hydrogen. Based on these characteristics, amino-based fluorescent probes combined with various fluorescent precursors have been constructed, with excellent sensing performance and low cytotoxicity. These probes have significant application value in the detection of food, living cells and organisms. Here, the relevant studies on amino fluorescent probes from 2016 to 2024 are systematically reviewed and their molecular design principles, recognition mechanisms and applications are described. These studies included 14 on exogenous and endogenous formaldehyde detection, five that detected polarity changes in the external environment and organelles in vivo, four intracellular mitochondrial and lysosomal viscosity detections, seven physiological environment and intracellular pH detections, seven metal ion detections in biological and environmental systems and four rapid detections of the hypochlorite anion (ClO-) in a variety of physiological processes and cells. The application scope of amino fluorescent probes is constantly expanding at present but, research progress in multiple application fields has not been summarized. This article mainly reviews the latest progress in amino fluorescent probes in the fields of food, the environment and the microenvironment, as well as looking forward to the development prospects of these fluorescent probes. Improving the reactivity of amino recognition groups and visual detection may become hot issues in future research.