Modulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell and CD4+ T cell differentiation accompanied by upregulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway induced by enterovirus 71.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a neurotropic enterovirus associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) fatalities. In this study, we investigated the impact of EV71 on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD4+ T cells. The results showed that pDCs were promptly activated, secreting interferon (IFN)-α and inducing CD4+ T cell proliferation and differentiation during early EV71 infection. This initiated adaptive immune responses and promoted proinflammatory cytokine production by CD4+ T cells. Over time, viral nucleic acids and proteins were synthesized in pDCs and CD4+ T cells. Concurrently, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) was activated, exhibiting an anti-inflammatory role. With constant viral stimulation, pDCs and CD4+ T cells showed reduced differentiation and cytokine secretion. Defects in pDCs were identified as a key factor in CD4+ T cell tolerance. CAP had a more significant regulatory effect on CD4+ T cells than on pDCs and was capable of inhibiting inflammation in these cells.

Accuracy of Orbital Shape Reconstruction-Comparative Analysis of Errors in Implant Shape Versus Implant Positioning: A Cadaveric Study.

INTRODUCTION: Orbital blowout fractures are commonly reconstructed with implants shaped to repair orbital cavity defects, restore ocular position and projection, and correct diplopia. Orbital implant shaping has traditionally been performed manually by surgeons, with more recent use of computer-assisted design (CAD). Accuracy of implant placement is also key to reconstruction. This study compares the placement accuracy of orbital implants, testing the hypothesis that CAD-shaped implants indexed to patient anatomy will better restore orbit geometry compared with manually shaped implants and manually placed implants. METHODS: The placement accuracy of orbital implants was assessed within a cadaveric blowout fracture model (3 skulls, 6 orbits) via 3-dimensional CT analysis. Defects were repaired with 4 different techniques: manually placed-manually shaped composite (titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene), manually placed CAD composite, indexed placed CAD composite, and indexed placed CAD titanium mesh. RESULTS: Implant placement accuracy differed significantly with the implant preparation method ( P =0.01). Indexing significantly improved the placement accuracy ( P =0.002). Indexed placed titanium mesh CAD implants (1.42±0.33 mm) were positioned significantly closer to the intact surface versus manually placed-manually shaped composite implants (2.12±0.39 mm). DISCUSSION: Computer-assisted design implants indexed to patient geometry yielded average errors below the acceptable threshold (2 mm) for enophthalmos and diplopia. This study highlights the importance of adequately indexing CAD-designed implants to patient geometry to ensure accurate orbital reconstructions.

Euphatexols C - G, five new triterpenoids from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera.

Five new triterpenoids named as euphatexols C - G (1-5) were isolated from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera. Their chemical structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including IR, HRMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR data. Compounds 1-5 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 22.30, 48.04, 21.89, 38.15 and 41.15 µM, respectively.

Power Generation from Moisture Fluctuations Using Polyvinyl Alcohol-Wrapped Dopamine/Polyvinylidene Difluoride Nanofibers.

Despite the boom in the water-triggered electric power generation technologies, few attempts have been made with a broader horizonyielding the electricity from sweat, which is of great value for low-power-consumption wearable electronics. Here, an electromechanical coupling and humidity-actuated two-in-one humidity actuator-driven piezoelectric generator (HAPG) are reported, that can yield continuous electric power from fluctuations in the ambient humidity. It is composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-wrapped highly aligned dopamine (DA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) shell/core nanofibers (PVA@DA/PVDF NFs). As-received PVA@DA/PVDF NFs can exchange water with the ambient humidity to perform expansion and contraction and convert them into electric power. An all-fiber-based portable HAPG is fabricated and tested on human palm skin. The devices show high sensitivity and accuracy for converting the mental sweating-derived continuous moisture fluctuations into electric power. This electric power can be stored in capacitors, which is expected to power micro- and nano-electronic devices or be used in electrotherapy such as electrical stimulation to promote wound healing. Beyond this, the obtained voltage profiles exhibit unique features that can reflect the typical sweat damping oscillation curve features.

[Four new lanostane triterpenoids from latex of Euphorbia resinifera].

Four new lanostane triterpenoids, 3ß-hydroxy-12α-methoxylanosta-7,9(11),24-triene(1), 3ß-hydroxy-12α-methoxy-24-methylene-lanost-7,9(11)-dien(2), 3,7-dioxo-lanosta-8,24-diene(3), and 3,7-dioxo-24-methylene-lanost-8-en(4), were isolated from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera with a variety of chromatography methods. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data and/or comparison with the data reported in previous research. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 showed moderate inhibition of LPS-induced NO production by RAW264.7, with IC_(50) of 30.4, 37.5, and 28.3 µmol·L~(-1), respectively.

Removals of cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and cryptosporidium-sized polystyrene microspheres from swimming pool water by diatomaceous earth filtration and perlite-sand filtration.

Removal of Cryptosporidium-sized microspheres and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts from swimming pools was investigated using diatomaceous earth (DE) precoat filtration and perlite-sand filtration. In pilot-scale experiments, microsphere removals of up to 2 log were obtained with 0.7 kg·DE/m2 at a filtration rate of 5 m/h. A slightly higher microsphere removal (2.3 log) was obtained for these DE-precoated filters when the filtration rate was 3.6 m/h. Additionally, pilot-scale perlite-sand filters achieved greater than 2 log removal when at least 0.37 kg/m2 of perlite was used compared to 0.1-0.4 log removal without perlite both at a surface loading rate of 37 m/h. Full-scale testing achieved 2.7 log of microspheres and oocysts removal when 0.7 kg·DE/m2 was used at 3.6 m/h. Removals were significantly decreased by a 15-minute interruption of the flow (without any mechanical agitation) to the DE filter in pilot-scale studies, which was not observed in full-scale filters. Microsphere removals were 2.7 log by perlite-sand filtration in a full-scale swimming pool filter operated at 34 m/h with 0.5 kg/m2 of perlite. The results demonstrate that either a DE precoat filter or a perlite-sand filter can improve the efficiency of removal of microspheres and oocysts from swimming pools over a standard sand filter under the conditions studied.

Cellulose nanofiber/MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/liquid metal film as a highly performance and flexible electrode material for supercapacitors.

In recent times, there has been significant interest in the utilization of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films as the foundation for supercapacitors due to their three-dimensional structure, flexibility and eco-friendliness. An ultrasonic and vacuum filtration method was used to prepare a hybrid film consisting of MXene (Ti3C2Tx), CNF and liquid metal (LM). The combination of CNF and LM with MXene produces a porous structure with higher electrical conductivity, which facilitates the transportation of ions and electrons within the composition and confers the material with heightened electrochemical properties. The CNF/MXene/LM electrode has a significant area capacitance of 871.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 5 mA cm-2. The hybrid film demonstrates excellent stability, maintaining a high conductivity of 546.4 S∙cm-1 and retaining 96.9 % capacitance after 2000 cycles at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. By utilizing the thin film as an electrode, a high-performance quasi-solid supercapacitor was fabricated, with a remarkably thin thickness of only 0.319 mm. Supercapacitors show exceptional electrical properties, including a surface-specific capacitance of 188.2 mF cm-2 at a current density of 5 mA cm-2. This study indicates that flexible electrodes made from cellulose nanofiber have extensive potential in the realm of supercapacitors.

MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/cellulose nanofiber/polyaniline film as a highly conductive and flexible electrode material for supercapacitors.

In recent years, supercapacitors based on cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films have received considerable attention for their excellent flexibility, lightweight, and unique structure. In this study, MXene (Ti3C2Tx) /CNF/polyaniline (PANI) hybrid films with good conductivity and flexibility were prepared by a convenient vacuum filtration method. Combined with PANI, MXene creates an open structure with high conductivity, which facilitates ion and electron transport among the materials and provides the composite with high electrochemical activity. The MXene/CNF/PANI electrode presents a high areal specific capacitance of 2935 mF cm-2 at the current density of 1 mA cm-2, excellent cycling stability with high capacitance retention of 94 % after 2000 cycles at 10 mA cm-2 and high electrical conductivity (634.4 S∙cm-1). As a further application of this film, it is used as a free-standing electrode to fabricate a quasi-solid-state supercapacitor with high performance, which has an ultra-thin thickness of 0.344 mm, a significantly high areal specific capacitance (522 mF cm-2) at 5 mA cm-2, a high areal energy density of 94.7 µWh∙cm-2 and a high areal power density of 573 µW∙cm-2. This work shows the great potential of the developed high-performance and flexible cellulose-based composites for fabricating electrodes as well as supercapacitors.

Reproduction of a fossil rhinoceros from 18 mya and origin of litter size in perissodactyls.

Reproductive strategy is among the most important characteristics of organism. Here, we report reproductive strategy of singleton pregnancy of a fossil rhinoceros, Plesiaceratherium gracile, from 18 mya of the Shanwang Basin, China. Dental and body development data revealed that after birth, the calf of P. gracile is breastfed for 2-3 years; at approximately 5 years of age, when the M2 tooth is slightly worn, the female has already reached sexual maturity and attained a size close to that of an adult and could give birth to the first calf. Furthermore, given litter size is phylogenetically conservative and closely correlates with body size, we conclude that the litter size of perissodactyls is determined by the singleton pregnancy since the Eocene. By contrast, other reproductive traits are highly variable and have a different pace of evolution, and traits observed in living rhinoceroses have been evolving at least since 18 mya.

Using interrupted time series design to analyze changes in hand, foot, and mouth disease incidence during the declining incidence periods of 2008-2010 in China.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patterns of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) incidence in China during declining incidence periods of 2008, 2009, and 2010. METHODS: Reported HFMD cases over a period of 25 months were extracted from the National Disease Reporting System (NDRS) and analyzed. An interrupted time series (ITS) technique was used to detect changes in HFMD incidence rates in terms of level and slope between declining incidence periods of the three years. RESULTS: Over 3.58 million HFMD cases younger than 5 years were reported to the NDRS between May 1, 2008, and May 31, 2011. Males comprised 63.4% of the cases. ITS analyses demonstrated a significant increase in incidence rate level (P<0.0001) when comparing the current period with the previous period. There were significant changes in declining slopes when comparing 2010 to 2009, and 2010 to 2008 (all P<0.005), but not 2009 to 2008. CONCLUSION: Incremental changes in incidence rate level during the declining incidence periods of 2009 and 2010 can potentially be attributed to a few factors. The more steeply declining slope in 2010 compared with previous years could be ascribed to the implementation of more effective interventions and preventive strategies in 2010. Further investigation is required to examine this possibility.

Impatiensliupanshuiensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Impatiensliupanshuiensis (Balsamianceae), belonging to I.subgen.Impatiens, is recognised as a new species from Guizhou, China and it is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to I.xanthocephala W.W. Sm. in its yellow flowers, extremely small basal lobes on lateral united petals, broadly-dolabriform distal lobes and funnelform lower sepal. However, it is distinctive in the number of lateral sepals, teeth on the margin of lateral sepals, the recurvature of the dorsal petal, the number of lateral veins, the shape and size of the lamina and the type of lamina margin. A detailed description of the new species and colour photographs are provided. Its geographical distribution and morphology are also compared to similar species.

Green and cost-effective synthesis of flexible, highly conductive cellulose nanofiber/reduced graphene oxide composite film with deep eutectic solvent.

Developing efficient strategy for nanomaterials dispersion is the key for promoting the utilization of cellulose-based composite in energy storage devices. In this study, an instant synthesis method for cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite film with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on choline chloride and urea as a media is developed. This DES shows favorable abilities of recyclability, materials dispersion, and could adjust the pH value for reaction systems of neutral to alkaline which in favor of electrostatic repulsion arising from deprotonated carboxyl groups at the composite surface. As-obtained films feature excellent flexibility, high electrical conductivity (as high as 26.47 S∙cm-1) and well electrochemical properties. Furthermore, a little amount of nitrogen atoms (~3.0 at%) could be introduced in the composite at a mild condition. Overall, this approach offers the potential for cost-effective, environmentally friendly and large-scale production of cellulose-based electrode and numerous advanced applications.

Physiologically Self-Regulated, Fully Implantable, Battery-Free System for Peripheral Nerve Restoration.

The long-segment peripheral nerve injury (PNI) represents a global medical challenge, leading to incomplete nerve tissue recovery and unsatisfactory functional reconstruction. However, the current electrical stimulation (ES) apparatuses fail perfect nerve repair due to their inability of the variable synchronous self-regulated function with physiological states. It is urgent to develop an implantable ES platform with physiologically adaptive function to provide instantaneous and nerve-preferred ES. Here, a physiologically self-regulated electrical signal is generated by integrating a novel tribo/piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerator with a nanoporous nerve guide conduit to construct a fully implantable neural electrical stimulation (FI-NES) system. The optimal neural ES parameters completely originate from the body itself and are highly self-responsive to different physiological states. The morphological evaluation, representative protein expression level, and functional reconstruction of the regenerated nerves are conducted to assess the PNI recovery process. Evidence shows that the recovery effect of 15 mm length nerve defects under the guidance of the FI-NES system is significantly close to the autograft. The designed FI-NES system provides an effective method for long-term accelerating the recovery of PNI in vivo and is also appropriate for other tissue injury or neurodegenerative diseases.

High-Performance Poly(vinylidene difluoride)/Dopamine Core/Shell Piezoelectric Nanofiber and Its Application for Biomedical Sensors.

Fabrication of soft piezoelectric nanomaterials is essential for the development of wearable and implantable biomedical devices. However, a big challenge in this soft functional material development is to achieve a high piezoelectric property with long-term stability in a biological environment. Here, a one-step strategy for fabricating core/shell poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF)/dopamine (DA) nanofibers (NFs) with a very high ß-phase content and self-aligned polarization is reported. The self-assembled core/shell structure is believed essential for the formation and alignment of ß-phase PVDF, where strong intermolecular interaction between the NH2 groups on DA and the CF2 groups on PVDF is responsible for aligning the PVDF chains and promoting ß-phase nucleation. The as-received PVDF/DA NFs exhibit significantly enhanced piezoelectric performance and excellent stability and biocompatibility. An all-fiber-based soft sensor is fabricated and tested on human skin and in vivo in mice. The devices show a high sensitivity and accuracy for detecting weak physiological mechanical stimulation from diaphragm motions and blood pulsation. This sensing capability offers great diagnostic potential for the early assessment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders.

Occurrence of cyclic and linear siloxanes in indoor dust from China, and implications for human exposures.

Siloxanes are used in a wide variety of personal-care and other consumer products. Although there is clearly a potential for contamination of indoor dust with siloxanes, reports of occurrence of siloxanes in indoor dust were not available, prior to the present study. Here, we have determined the concentrations and profiles of four cyclic siloxanes, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D(4)), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D(5)), dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D(6)), and tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane (D(7)), as well as 11 linear siloxanes, from L(4)-L(14), in 100 dust samples collected in China. Cyclic and linear siloxanes were found in all dust samples, with the linear siloxanes L(9)-L(14) being the predominant compounds. Concentrations of total siloxanes in dust ranged from 21.5 to 21,000 (mean: 1540 +/- 2850) ng g(-1). The highest concentration of the individual linear siloxanes, L(9)-L(14), ranged between 2680 and 6170 ng g(-1). Concentrations of total linear siloxanes (TLS) were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than concentrations of total cyclic siloxanes (TCS), in all indoor dust samples. Siloxane concentrations in dust were associated with the number of electrical/electronic appliances, number of occupants, and smokers living in the house. Based on the measured siloxane concentrations and on estimated daily ingestion rates of dust by toddlers and adults, we calculated the daily intake of siloxanes. For adults, daily exposure to total siloxanes, based on an average dust intake rate and median exposure concentration, was calculated to be 15.9 ng day(-1); the corresponding value for toddlers was 32.8 ng d(-1).

Cervical-Thoracic Epidural Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is a rare benign tumor. The jawbone is the most common site of occurrence, followed by sphenoid bone, craniofacial bone, hand and foot bones. The etiology of GCRG is unknown but may be related to an intraosseous hemorrhage following trauma. Despite its benign nature, it could be locally aggressive. To our knowledge, no spinal epidural GCRG case has been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: A case of man aged 32 years who presented with upper right limb numbness and weakness. Computed tomography showed a round soft tissue mass in the spinal canal at the C7-T1 level. The mass showed isointensity on T1-weighted images, hypointensity on T2-weighted images, and significant enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted images. The mass localized in the epidural space and was surgically resected. The histologic diagnosis was consistent with GCRG. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal epidural GCRG is rare and is hardly considered in the differential diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis of GCRG is challenging, and the definitive diagnosis could only be made by pathological examination. Surgical resection is probably an effective therapy for relief of symptoms.

Core/Shell Piezoelectric Nanofibers with Spatial Self-Orientated ß-Phase Nanocrystals for Real-Time Micropressure Monitoring of Cardiovascular Walls.

Implantable pressure biosensors show great potential for assessment and diagnostics of pressure-related diseases. Here, we present a structural design strategy to fabricate core/shell polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)/hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HHE) organic piezoelectric nanofibers (OPNs) with well-controlled and self-orientated nanocrystals in the spatial uniaxial orientation (SUO) of ß-phase-rich fibers, which significantly enhance piezoelectric performance, fatigue resistance, stability, and biocompatibility. Then PVDF/HHE OPNs soft sensors are developed and used to monitor subtle pressure changes in vivo. Upon implanting into pig, PVDF/HHE OPNs sensors demonstrate their ultrahigh detecting sensitivity and accuracy to capture micropressure changes at the outside of cardiovascular walls, and output piezoelectric signals can real-time and synchronously reflect and distinguish changes of cardiovascular elasticity and occurrence of atrioventricular heart-block and formation of thrombus. Such biological information can provide a diagnostic basis for early assessment and diagnosis of thrombosis and atherosclerosis, especially for postoperative recrudescence of thrombus deep within the human body.

Magnetic Janus particles as a multifunctional drug delivery system for paclitaxel in efficient cancer treatment.

Paclitaxel is broad-spectrum anticancer drug which has been widely used in clinic. However, traditional drug delivery often suffers from the scarcity of resources and systemic toxic side effects caused by the localization to non-tumor areas, rendering cancer treatment extremely challenging. To address this problem, we developed a novel multifunctional drug delivery system of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) drug-loaded magnetic Janus particles (DMJPs) using electrohydrodynamic (EDH) co-jetting. The DMJPs were loaded with three compartments each with distinct function, i.e. paclitaxel for killing cancer cell, Fe3O4 nanoparticles for target location, and rhodamine B for fluorescence tracing, respectively. The Janus structure of the DMJPs, as demonstrated by the loaded nano-quantum dots CdS/ZnS and CdSe/ZnS in different compartments, enhanced not only the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency but also the cumulative release rate of the loaded drugs from DMJPs in different media. More importantly, DMJPs exhibited specific and high toxicity only to human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), but not to mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH-3 T3). Consistently, DMJPs induced the higher lethal effect on cancer cells than paclitaxel suspension of high concentrations. Under guidance of external magnetic field, DMJPs can readily target and accumulate on and inside cancer cells for cell elimination. The specific targetability, selectivity, and toxicity of DMJPs on cancer cells would greatly avoid any potential side effects and reduce the overdose of drugs for conventional drug delivery. This work hopefully provides a new drug delivery system for the development of anticancer drug systems for clinical and precision medicine treatment.

BMSC affinity peptide-functionalized ß-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds promoting repair of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disabling disease. Early treatment is crucial to the prognosis of the disease. Core decompression (CD) is one of the most commonly used methods for the treatment of early ONFH. But it could not prevent the collapse of the necrotic femoral head. How to improve the therapeutic effect of early ONFH on the basis of CD has become an area of focused research. METHODS: Functional ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) scaffolds modified by DPIYALSWSGMA (DPI) peptide, a bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) affinity peptide, were constructed using an adsorption/freeze-drying strategy. The affinity of DPI peptide towards rabbit BMSCs was investigated using flow cytometry and fluorescence cytochemistry. In vitro cell adhesion assay was performed to study the adherent ability of rabbit BMSCs on functional ß-TCP scaffolds. After the rabbit model of early ONFH was established, DPI peptide-modified and pure ß-TCP scaffolds were transplanted into the remaining cavity after CD. Meanwhile, rabbits treated with pure CD were used as blank control. Twelve weeks after surgery, histological analysis was performed to show the therapeutic effect of three methods on early ONFH. RESULTS: The result of ImageXpress Micro Confocal indicated that fabricated DPI peptide-modified functional ß-TCP scaffolds exhibited green fluorescence. In flow cytometry, the average fluorescence intensity for rabbit BMSCs incubated with FITC-DPI was significantly higher than that of FITC-LSP (P = 2.733 × 10-8). In fluorescence cytochemistry, strong fluorescent signals were observed in rabbit BMSCs incubated with FITC-DPI and FITC-RGD, whereas no fluorescent signals in cells incubated with FITC-LSP. In cell adhesion assay, the number of adherent cells to ß-TCP-DPI scaffolds was more than that of pure ß-TCP scaffolds (P = 0.033). The CD + ß-TCP-DPI group expressed the lowest vacant bone lacunae percentage compared to CD group (P = 2.350 × 10-4) and CD + ß-TCP group (P = 0.020). The expression content of COL1 in CD + ß-TCP-DPI group was much higher than CD group (P = 1.262 × 10-7) and CD + ß-TCP group (P = 1.666 × 10-7) according to the integrated optical density (IOD) analyses. CONCLUSION: Functional ß-TCP scaffolds modified by DPI peptide were successfully synthesized using an adsorption/freeze-drying strategy. DPI peptide has good affinity towards rabbit BMSCs. The adhesion of rabbit BMSCs on DPI peptide-modified ß-TCP scaffolds was apparently enhanced. CD followed by implantation of DPI peptide-modified ß-TCP scaffolds can apparently improve the treatment of early ONFH compared with pure CD and CD followed by implantation of unmodified ß-TCP scaffolds. Our current study provides an improved method for the treatment of early ONFH.

Construction of α-Cyclodextrin-Based Stimuli-Responsive Gene Delivery Nanovectors: In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Investigations.

Stimuli-responsive materials are promising paradigm applied to construct diagnostic and therapeutic intracellular controlled release vectors, while highlighting many challenges and opportunities. In this paper, six α-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular nanovectors were constructed and the efficacy of amine groups, stimuli-responsive profiles and endocytic mechanisms were investigated. The results indicated that the designed supermolecules can compact DNA to form stable complexes and display low cytotoxicity. Among them, PRPEI-2 with suitable PEI amine group exhibited enhanced transfecting performance, high dilution stability, nice serum compatibility, and good acid-responsive profiles to enable endosome escape, significantly higher than commercially available transfecting agent PEI25000, the most effective vector studied to date. The endocytic uptake mechanisms involved in the transfection was mainly through clathrin-mediated pathway, which is closely associated with and can be improved by endosome escape. Moreover, PRPEI-2/DNA polyplex can be effectively expressed in vivo even after 48 h via only single tail-vein injection, and the gene expression and main tissue distribution appeared in the testis, liver, brain and spleen. These excellent characteristics demonstrated that the supramolecular PRPEI-2 represents an excellent prospect as stimuli-responsive nanovectors for gene diagnosis and therapy.