Nicotiana benthamiana-derived dupilumab-scFv reaches deep into the cultured human nasal epithelial cells and inhibits CCL26 expression.

Plants offer a cost-effective and scalable pharmaceutical platform devoid of host-derived contamination risks. However, their medical application is complicated by the potential for acute allergic reactions to external proteins. Developing plant-based protein therapeutics for localized diseases with non-invasive treatment modalities may capitalize on the benefits of plant proteins while avoiding their inherent risks. Dupilumab, which is effective against a variety of allergic and autoimmune diseases but has systemic responses and injection-related side effects, may be more beneficial if delivered locally using a small biological form. In this study, we engineered a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of dupilumab, termed Dup-scFv produced by Nicotiana benthamiana, and evaluated its tissue permeability and anti-inflammatory efficacy in air-liquid interface cultured human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs). Despite showing 3.67- and 17-fold lower binding affinity for IL-4Ra in surface plasmon resonance assays and cell binding assays, respectively, Dup-scFv retained most of the affinity of dupilumab, which was originally high, with a dissociation constant (KD) of 4.76 pM. In HNECs cultured at the air-liquid interface, Dup-scFv administered on the air side inhibited the inflammatory marker CCL26 in hard-to-reach basal cells more effectively than dupilumab. In addition, Dup-scFv had an overall permeability of 0.8% across cell layers compared to undetectable levels of dupilumab. These findings suggest that plant-produced Dup-scFv can be delivered non-invasively to cultured HNESc to alleviate inflammatory signaling, providing a practical approach to utilize plant-based proteins for topical therapeutic applications.

Neuromodulatory Responses Elicited by Intermittent versus Continuous Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Motor Cortex in Rats.

Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has emerged as a promising neuromodulation technique that delivers acoustic energy with high spatial resolution for inducing long-term potentiation (LTP)- or depression (LTD)-like plasticity. The variability in the primary effects of tFUS-induced plasticity could be due to different stimulation patterns, such as intermittent versus continuous, and is an aspect that requires further detailed exploration. In this study, we developed a platform to evaluate the neuromodulatory effects of intermittent and continuous tFUS on motor cortical plasticity before and after tFUS application. Three groups of rats were exposed to either intermittent, continuous, or sham tFUS. We analyzed the neuromodulatory effects on motor cortical excitability by examining changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We also investigated the effects of different stimulation patterns on excitatory and inhibitory neural biomarkers, examining c-Fos and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-65) expression using immunohistochemistry staining. Additionally, we evaluated the safety of tFUS by analyzing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. The current results indicated that intermittent tFUS produced a facilitation effect on motor excitability, while continuous tFUS significantly inhibited motor excitability. Furthermore, neither tFUS approach caused injury to the stimulation sites in rats. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed increased c-Fos and decreased GAD-65 expression following intermittent tFUS. Conversely, continuous tFUS downregulated c-Fos and upregulated GAD-65 expression. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that both intermittent and continuous tFUS effectively modulate cortical excitability. The neuromodulatory effects may result from the activation or deactivation of cortical neurons following tFUS intervention. These effects are considered safe and well-tolerated, highlighting the potential for using different patterns of tFUS in future clinical neuromodulatory applications.

Improving nitrogen content in soil and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) yield by purple nonsulfur bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris in two consecutive seasons.

The study was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N)-fixing purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) Rhodopseudomonas palustris TLS06, VNW02, VNW64, and VNS89 on soil fertility, N uptake, essential oil (EO) content, growth, and yield of lemon balm. The experiment followed a completely randomized block design with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of (i) applying 100% N as the recommended fertilizer rate (RFR), (ii) applying 85% N as RFR, (iii) applying 70% N as RFR, (iv) applying 55% N as RFR, (v) the treatment ii combined with N-PNSB, (vi) the treatment iii combined with N-PNSB, (vii) the treatment iv combined with N-PNSB, (viii) 0% as RFR combined with N-PNSB, and (ix) 0% N as RFR. The results showed that applying N-PNSB increased the plant height, and the number of primary branches in both seasons. In addition, the treatment without N fertilizer combined with N-PNSB increased stem leaf biomass by 41.2 and 50.3% in both seasons as compared with the treatment without neither N fertilizer nor N-PNSB. For soil properties, among treatments without N fertilizer, the treatment with N-PNSB increased concentrations of NH4+, soluble P, and exchangeable K+ by 41.3, 41.4, and 26.8%, respectively, as compared with the treatment without N-PNSB at the end of the second season. Applying 85% N as RFR combined with N-PNSB had a greater yield by 5.78-11.8% as compared with the treatment with 100% N as RFR, and a greater EO content by 23% as compared with the treatment with 85% N as RFR.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation alone and in combination with rehabilitation therapies on gait and balance among individuals with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurogenerative disorder implicated in dysfunctions of motor functions, particularly gait and balance. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation offered as a potential adjuvant therapy for PD. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to identify whether tDCS alone and combined with additional rehabilitation therapies improve gait and balance among individuals with PD. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and relevant databases for eligible studies from inception to December 2022. Studies with a comparative design investigating the effects of tDCS on motor functions, including gait and balance among individuals with PD, were included. A meta-analysis was performed for each outcome using a random effects model for subgroup analysis and pooling of overall effect sizes. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results revealed that tDCS has moderate overall effects on gait, measured by gait speed (standardized mean deviation [SMD] = 0.238; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.026 to 0.502); stride length (SMD = 0.318; 95% CI - 0.015 to 0.652); cadence (SMD = - 0.632; 95% CI - 0.932 to - 0.333); freezing of gait questionnaire scores (SMD = - 0.360; 95% CI - 0.692 to - 0.027); step length (SMD = 0.459; 95% CI - 0.031 to 0.949); walking time (SMD = - 0.253; 95% CI - 0.758 to 0.252); stride time (SMD = - 0.785; 95% CI: - 1.680 to 0.111); double support time (SMD = 1.139; 95% CI - 0.244 to 0.523); and balance, measured by timed up and go (TUG) test (SMD = - 0.294; 95% CI - 0.516 to - 0.073), Berg balance scale (BBS) scores (SMD = 0.406; 95% CI - 0.059 to 0.87), and dynamic gait index (SMD = 0.275; 95% CI - 0.349 to 0.898). For the subgroup analysis, gait and balance demonstrated moderate effect sizes. However, only cadence, stride time, and TUG indicated a significant difference between real and sham tDCS (P = 0.027, P = 0.002, and P = 0.023, respectively), whereas cadence and BBS (P < 0.01 and P = 0.045, respectively) significantly differed after real tDCS plus other therapies rather than after sham tDCS plus other therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that tDCS is significantly associated with gait and balance improvements among individuals with PD. The findings of this study provide more proof supporting the effectiveness of tDCS, encouraging tDCS to be utilized alone or in combination with other therapies in clinical practice for PD rehabilitation.

Flavonoids derived from medicinal plants as a COVID-19 treatment.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 disease. Through its viral spike (S) protein, the virus enters and infects epithelial cells by utilizing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as a host cell's receptor protein. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on global public health and economies. Although various effective vaccinations and medications are now available to prevent and treat COVID-19, natural compounds derived from medicinal plants, particularly flavonoids, demonstrated therapeutic potential to treat COVID-19 disease. Flavonoids exhibit dual antiviral mechanisms: direct interference with viral invasion and inhibition of replication. Specifically, they target key viral molecules, particularly viral proteases, involved in infection. These compounds showcase significant immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively inhibiting various inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, emerging evidence supports the potential of flavonoids to mitigate the progression of COVID-19 in individuals with obesity by positively influencing lipid metabolism. This review aims to elucidate the molecular structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the underlying mechanism of action of flavonoids on the virus. This study evaluates the potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties exhibited by flavonoid compounds, with a specific interest in their structure and mechanisms of action, as therapeutic applications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Nevertheless, a significant portion of existing knowledge is based on theoretical frameworks and findings derived from in vitro investigations. Further research is required to better assess the effectiveness of flavonoids in combating SARS-CoV-2, with a particular emphasis on in vivo and clinical investigations.

Transcranial burst electrical stimulation contributes to neuromodulatory effects in the rat motor cortex.

Background and objective: Transcranial Burst Electrical Stimulation (tBES) is an innovative non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines direct current (DC) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) for brain neuromodulation. It has been suggested that the tBES protocol may efficiently induce neuroplasticity. However, few studies have systematically tested neuromodulatory effects and underlying neurophysiological mechanisms by manipulating the polarity of DC and TBS patterns. This study aimed to develop the platform and assess neuromodulatory effects and neuronal activity changes following tBES. Methods: Five groups of rats were exposed to anodal DC combined with intermittent TBS (tBES+), cathodal DC combined with continuous TBS (tBES-), anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS+ and tDCS-), and sham groups. The neuromodulatory effects of each stimulation on motor cortical excitability were analyzed by motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) changes. We also investigated the effects of tBES on both excitatory and inhibitory neural biomarkers. We specifically examined c-Fos and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-65) using immunohistochemistry staining techniques. Additionally, we evaluated the safety of tBES by analyzing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Results: Our findings demonstrated significant impacts of tBES on motor cortical excitability up to 30 min post-stimulation. Specifically, MEPs significantly increased after tBES (+) compared to pre-stimulation (p = 0.026) and sham condition (p = 0.025). Conversely, tBES (-) led to a notable decrease in MEPs relative to baseline (p = 0.04) and sham condition (p = 0.048). Although tBES showed a more favorable neuromodulatory effect than tDCS, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between these two groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, tBES (+) exhibited a significant activation of excitatory neurons, indicated by increased c-Fos expression (p < 0.05), and a reduction in GAD-65 density (p < 0.05). tBES (-) promoted GAD-65 expression (p < 0.05) while inhibiting c-Fos activation (p < 0.05), suggesting the involvement of cortical inhibition with tBES (-). The expression of GFAP showed no significant difference between tBES and sham conditions (p > 0.05), indicating that tBES did not induce neural injury in the stimulated regions. Conclusion: Our study indicates that tBES effectively modulates motor cortical excitability. This research significantly contributes to a better understanding of the neuromodulatory effects of tBES, and could provide valuable evidence for its potential clinical applications in treating neurological disorders.

Theoretical investigation of CO2 capture in the MIL-88 series: effects of organic linker modification.

CO2 capture is a crucial strategy to mitigate global warming and protect a sustainable environment. Metal-organic frameworks with large surface area, high flexibility, and reversible adsorption and desorption of gases are good candidates for CO2 capture. Among the synthesized metal-organic frameworks, the MIL-88 series has attracted our attention due to their excellent stability. However, a systematic investigation of CO2 capture in the MIL-88 series with different organic linkers is not available. Therefore, we clarified the topic via two sections: (1) elucidate physical insights into the CO2@MIL-88 interaction by van der Waals-dispersion correction density functional theory calculations, and (2) quantitatively study the CO2 capture capacity by grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. We found that the 1πg, 2σu/1πu, and 2σg peaks of the CO2 molecule and the C and O p orbitals of the MIL-88 series are the predominant contributors to the CO2@MIL-88 interaction. The MIL-88 series, i.e., MIL-88A, B, C, and D, has the same metal oxide node but different organic linkers: fumarate (MIL-88A), 1,4-benzene-dicarboxylate (MIL-88B), 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate (MIL-88C), and 4,4'-biphenyl-dicarboxylate (MIL-88D). The results exhibited that fumarate should be the best replacement for both the gravimetric and volumetric CO2 uptakes. We also pointed out a proportional relationship between the capture capacities with electronic properties and other parameters.

Radiofrequency versus Ethanol Ablation for Single-Session Treatment of Benign Cystic Thyroid Nodules: A Short-Term Retrospective Study.

Objective: This study aims to compare 1-month's efficacy and safety of single-session ethanol ablation and radiofrequency ablation for treating both purely cystic nodules and predominantly cystic thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: This short-term retrospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institutional Review Board of Danang Family hospital, and written informed consent for procedures was obtained for all patients. Thirty-nine patients who presented with cystic thyroid nodules and met inclusion criteria were extracted from the computerized medical records. The internal fluid of cystic thyroid nodules was aspirated as much as possible. Ethanol ablation was performed using 18-gauge needles with 99.5% ethanol, and RFA used a cooled-electrode RFA system and 18-gauge internally cooled electrodes via the trans-isthmic approach, moving-shot technique. Nodule volume, therapeutic success rate, the largest diameter, thyroid function tests, and complications were evaluated and compared before and after treatment in each group. Results: Among 39 patients, 17 patients were undergone EA (mean age of 47.35 years; the proportion of female of 76.5%; purely thyroid cyst percentage of 41.4%) and 22 patients were undergone RFA (mean age of 46.63 years; the proportion of female of 86.4%; purely thyroid cyst percentage of 54.5%). Both treatment techniques showed a significant reduction of the largest diameter and nodule volume (p<0.05) without complications. RFA reduced nodule volume and the largest nodule size greater than EA treatment at 1-month post-ablation (p<0.05). In addition, the therapeutic success rate in the RFA group was higher than in the EA group. Conclusion: Both RFA and EA treatment with single-session confirm the efficacy and safety for cystic thyroid nodules at 1-month follow-up, RFA reduced greater in nodule volume and the largest nodule size than the EA treatment. Thus, the therapeutic success rate in the RFA group was higher than in the EA group.

Proteomic changes associated with maternal dietary low ω6:ω3 ratio in piglets supplemented with seaweed. Part I: Serum proteomes.

This study examines whether maternal low ω6:ω3 ratio diet and offspring SW supplementation can improve offspring immunity and performance by elucidating the effects on piglet serum proteome. A total of 16 sows were given either a standard (CR, 13:1) or low ω6:ω3 ratio diet (LR, 4:1) during pregnancy and lactation and their male weaned piglets were supplemented with SW powder (4 g/kg, SW) or not (CT) in a 21-day post-weaning (PW) diet. Four PW piglet groups were then identified based on dam and piglet treatment, namely CRCT, CRSW, LRCT, and LRSW (n = 10 each). Piglet serum collected at weaning and d21 PW were analysed (n = 5 each) using TMT-based quantitative proteomics and validated by appropriate assays. The differentially abundant proteins (n = 122) displayed positive effects of maternal LR diet on anti-inflammatory properties and innate immune stimulation. Progeny SW diet activated the innate immunity and enhance the host defence during inflammation. These data demonstrate the value of decreasing ω6:ω3 ratio in maternal diet and SW supplementation in PW piglet's diet to boost their immunity and anti-inflammation properties. SIGNIFICANCE: This novel proteomic study in post-weaned piglets addresses the interplay between maternal and offspring nutritional interventions in a context of rapid and dynamic alterations in piglet metabolic status around weaning. Decreasing ω6:ω3 ratio in maternal diet and SW supplementation in PW piglet's diet can boost their immunity and anti-inflammation properties. This study also provides new insights into piglet serum proteome regulation during post-weaning, a critical development period in swine.

Proteomic changes associated with maternal dietary low ω6:ω3 ratio in piglets supplemented with seaweed Part II: Ileum proteomes.

This study evaluates how long-term dietary low ω6:ω3 ratio in sows and offspring's seaweed (SW) intake affects piglet intestinal function and growth through modifying ileum proteome. Sows were assigned to either control diet (CR, ω6:ω3 ratio = 13:1) or treatment diet (LR, ω6:ω3 = 4:1) during gestation and lactation (n = 8 each). The male weaned offspring were received a basal diet with or without SW powder supplementation (4 g/kg) for 21 days, denoted as SW and CT groups, respectively. In total, four groups of weaned piglets were formed following maternal and offspring's diets combination, represented by CRCT, CRSW, LRCT, and LRSW (n = 10 each). Piglet ileum tissue was collected on day 22 post-weaning and analysed using TMT-based quantitative proteomics. The differentially abundant proteins (n = 300) showed the influence of maternal LR diet on protein synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell cycle regulation. In contrast, the SW diet lowered the inflammation severity and promoted ileal tissue development in CRSW piglets but reduced the fat absorption capacity in LRSW piglets. These results uncovered the mechanism behind the anti-inflammation and intestinal-boosting effects of maternal LR diet in piglets supplemented with SW.

Corononema vulgare sp. n. and Hofmaenneria coralis sp. n. (Nematoda, Monhysterida) from coral reefs off the coast of Vietnam.

Two new nematode species of the order Monhysterida, found in coral reefs on the coast of Vietnam, are described and illustrated. Corononema vulgare sp. n. morphology is similar to C. thai Nicholas & Stewart, 1995 but differs from it by the shorter outer labial setae, shorter tail in males, and a different shape of the guiding lateral bodies in the spicular apparatus of males. Hofmaenneria coralis sp. n. morphology is close to H. niddensis Gerlach & Meyl, 1957 and H. optata Alekseev, 1983. The new species differs from the first species by having thinner body, a shorter and less slender tail, and shorter spicules. The new species differs from H. optata in having a longer body, shorter pharynx, shorter tail, and longer outer labial setae.

Kangaroo Mother Care in Vietnam: A National Survey of a Middle-Income Country.

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a low-cost intervention that is indicated to be a highly effective practice for which adoption and implementation are lacking. We investigated the current provision of KMC in Vietnam and explored differences among levels of healthcare facility. Methods: A survey form was sent to 187 hospitals in Vietnam, representing the three levels (central, provincial and district) of public hospital-based maternity services. Results: Overall response rate was 74% (138/187 hospitals). Routine KMC implementation was estimated in 49% of the hospitals. Where KMC was implemented or was being introduced, half of the hospitals had a written protocol and a KMC-dedicated room, and held educational courses on KMC. KMC was mainly performed by the mother. Skin-to-skin contact was mostly performed for <12 h/day (55%), exclusive breastfeeding at discharge was very frequent (89%) and early discharge was considered in half of the hospitals (54%), while follow-up was not performed in 29% of the hospitals. Participants considered follow-up after discharge as the main barrier to KMC implementation, and indicated education (of both parents and health caregivers) and environment upgrades (KMC-dedicated room and equipment) as the most important facilitators. Conclusions: Our survey estimated a limited implementation of KMC in Vietnamese maternity hospitals, with marked variations across the different levels of maternity services. Areas of improvements include increasing the duration of skin-to-skin contact, arranging dedicated spaces for KMC, involving the relatives (especially at district level), extending the availability of a written protocol, improving the eligibility process, and implementing early discharge and follow-up monitoring.

A modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score for dengue: development, evaluation and proposal for use in clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a neglected tropical disease, for which no therapeutic agents have shown clinical efficacy to date. Clinical trials have used strikingly variable clinical endpoints, which hampers reproducibility and comparability of findings. We investigated a delta modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (delta mSOFA) score as a uniform composite clinical endpoint for use in clinical trials investigating therapeutics for moderate and severe dengue. METHODS: We developed a modified SOFA score for dengue, measured and evaluated its performance at baseline and 48 h after enrolment in a prospective observational cohort of 124 adults admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in Vietnam with dengue shock. The modified SOFA score included pulse pressure in the cardiovascular component. Binary logistic regression, cox proportional hazard and linear regression models were used to estimate association between mSOFA, delta mSOFA and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The analysis included 124 adults with dengue shock. 29 (23.4%) patients required ICU admission for organ support or due to persistent haemodynamic instability: 9/124 (7.3%) required mechanical ventilation, 8/124 (6.5%) required vasopressors, 6/124 (4.8%) required haemofiltration and 5/124 (4.0%) patients died. In univariate analyses, higher baseline and delta (48 h) mSOFA score for dengue were associated with admission to ICU, requirement for organ support and mortality, duration of ICU and hospital admission and IV fluid use. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline and delta mSOFA scores for dengue performed well to discriminate patients with dengue shock by clinical outcomes, including duration of ICU and hospital admission, requirement for organ support and death. We plan to use delta mSOFA as the primary endpoint in an upcoming host-directed therapeutic trial and investigate the performance of this score in other phenotypes of severe dengue in adults and children.

Diabetes self-management and its associated factors among patients with diabetes in central Vietnam: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes self-management (DSM) enables maintenance of optimal individualized glycemic control for patients with diabetes through comprehensive lifestyle, medication adherence, and self-monitoring glucose level. This study aimed to evaluate DSM and to find associated factors among Vietnamese diabetes patients by using the Vietnamese version of Diabetes Self-Management Instrument (DSMI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a single hospital in the central Vietnam. DSM was assessed using the DSMI. The participant's socio-demographic and clinical features were obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine independent factors associated with total DSMI. RESULTS: The mean total DSM score based on DSMI self-administered questionnaire scores was 88.4 ± 22.1, with a range of 47 to 140. The mean self-integration, self-regulation, interaction with health professionals, self-monitoring blood glucose, and adherence to the prescribed regime were 24.8, 22.3, 21.6, 10.2, and 9.5, respectively. 48.1% of DM patients had good HbA1c control. Sex, educational status, BMI, waist circumference, medical nutrition therapy, and sufficient physical activities were factors independently predictive of DSMI total score. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes that the DSM situation is seen to be average among DM patients with mean DSMI score 88.4 ± 22.1 and sex, educational status, BMI, waist circumference, medical nutrition therapy, and sufficient physical activities were independently predictive factors of DSMI total score. This evidence suggests that there is a need to enhance the effectiveness of DSM education programs among diabetic patients.

How temperature shocks impact energy poverty in Vietnam: mediating role of financial development and environmental consideration.

This paper evaluates the energy poverty of Vietnam by mediating the role of financial development and environmental considerations. Across the globe, billions of individuals live in fuel poverty, failing to access inexpensive and sustainable energy, which is necessary for long-term development. An elevation in power consumption due to an overall increase in heat and short periods of extreme heat exacerbates global warming. The goal of this research is to look at how climate change is affecting energy poverty in Vietnam. This finding (1) demonstrates that temperature shocks have a positive and quantitative impact. (2) The same may be said for "poor income/high cost" figures, which include information on power rates. Similarly, if households use the same amount of power but spend less on other items, the influence will not raise their electricity use. (3) Thermal shocks have been shown to reduce agricultural output in studies. During seasons of low rainfall, for example, higher evaporation and plant water demand can worsen drought and raise total irrigation expenses. Labor productivity is also affected by rising temperatures, particularly in weather-sensitive industries like agriculture. As a result, heat shocks will lower agricultural revenues, worsening energy poverty. Surprisingly, overall income appears to be a little mitigating influence. This might be owing to widespread underreporting of stated income, particularly among persons who rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Long-Term Motor Cortical Electrical Stimulation Ameliorates 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Motor Dysfunctions and Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Cortical electrical stimulation (CES) can modulate cortical excitability through a plasticity-like mechanism and is considered to have therapeutic potentials in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the precise therapeutic value of such approach for PD remains unclear. Accordingly, we adopted a PD rat model to determine the therapeutic effects of CES. The current study was thus designed to identify the therapeutic potential of CES in PD rats. METHODS: A hemiparkinsonian rat model, in which lesions were induced using unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle, was applied to identify the therapeutic effects of long-term (4-week) CES with intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol (starting 24 h after PD lesion observation, 1 session/day, 5 days/week) on motor function and neuroprotection. After the CES intervention, detailed functional behavioral tests including gait analysis, akinesia, open-field locomotor activity, apomorphine-induced rotation as well as degeneration level of dopaminergic neurons were performed weekly up to postlesion week 4. RESULTS: After the CES treatment, we found that the 4-week CES intervention ameliorated the motor deficits in gait pattern, akinesia, locomotor activity, and apomorphine-induced rotation. Immunohistochemistry and tyrosine hydroxylase staining analysis demonstrated that the number of dopamine neurons was significantly greater in the CES intervention group than in the sham treatment group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that early and long-term CES intervention could reduce the aggravation of motor dysfunction and exert neuroprotective effects in a rat model of PD. Further, this preclinical model of CES may increase the scope for the potential use of CES and serve as a link between animal and PD human studies to further identify the therapeutic mechanism of CES for PD or other neurological disorders.

Abundance of plasma proteins in response to divergent ratios of dietary ω6:ω3 fatty acids in gestating and lactating sows using a quantitative proteomics approach.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic proteomic pattern of plasma from sows supplemented with low dietary ω6:ω3 fatty acids (FAs) ratio during gestation and lactation. Two dietary treatments (n = 8 each) comprised either a control ratio of ω6:ω3 FAs (CR, 13:1 during gestation and 10:1 during lactation) or a low ratio (LR, 4:1 during gestation and lactation) by adding soybean oil or linseed oil, respectively. High-resolution mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics was applied on plasma (n = 5 each) at day 108 of gestation (G108) and at the end of lactation (L-End), and a total of 379 proteins and 202 master proteins were identified. Out of these, four differentially abundant proteins between LR and CR samples at G108 may relate to serine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity. Differentially abundant proteins in L-End versus G108 (12 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated) were positively correlated with the events that regulate plasma lipoproteins, stimulus- and defence-responses. These findings demonstrate the benefit of increased dietary ω3 FAs in modifying proteins involved in protective mechanisms against increased stresses in key life cycle phases in pigs. In addition, proteome changes from late gestation to late lactation disclosed the underlying mechanism of pigs in response to reproduction-related stimuli. SIGNIFICANCE: This study aimed to provide a proteomics insight into the beneficial effects of maternal diet supplementation with a low ω6:ω3 fatty acids ratio, based on previously reported performance and zootechnical data. The results suggest that a low dietary ω6:ω3 fatty acids ratio could enhance the cellular defence mechanisms against increased stresses and in particular to oxidative stress in sows during gestation and lactation, as reflected in proteomic changes of haptoglobin (HP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (SERPINA1) and serum amyloid P-component (APCS). Furthermore, significantly changed proteome profiles in sow plasma between late gestation and lactation phases have been revealed for the first time. This finding identified the adaptation mechanisms of sows to changing physiological events during reproduction.

The Combined Use of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Fructooligosaccharide Improves Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Resistance of Whiteleg Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of probiotic bacteria Pediococcus pentosaceus supplemented at different inclusion levels in a control diet [basal diet containing 0.5% fructooligosaccharide (FOS)] on the growth performance, feed conversion ratio, immune response, and the disease resistance of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. A control diet with 0.5% FOS but without P. pentosaceus supplementation (Control) was prepared. In addition, three other test diets were also formulated: control diet supplemented with P. pentosaceus at (i) 1 × 106 cfu g-1 diet (P1), (ii) 1 × 107 cfu g-1 diet (P2), or (iii) 1 × 108 cfu g-1 diet (P3). After a 60-day feeding trial, the experimental shrimps were challenged with V. parahaemolyticus. The results showed that dietary supplementation of P. pentosaceus significantly improved the growth performance and immune responses of L. vannamei juveniles. The juveniles that were fed with a P2 or P3 diet recorded the maximum increase in the final body weight, final length, weight gain, and survival rate. The total hemocyte counts, phenoloxidase, and lysozyme activity of shrimp fed with either of these two diets were significantly enhanced. The results also showed that juveniles fed with a P2 or P3 diet exhibited significantly lower mortality when challenged with V. parahaemolyticus. Overall results suggested that a combination of P. pentosaceus at the inclusion level of 1 × 107 cfu g-1 diet (P2) and 0.5% FOS could be considered as a potential synbiotic formulation for improving the growth, health, and robustness of L. vannamei.

Water reclamation and microbial community investigation: Treatment of tetramethylammonium hydroxide wastewater through an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor hybrid system.

Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is a toxic photoresist developer used in the photolithography process in thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) production, and it can be removed through anaerobic treatment. TMAH cannot be released into the environment because of its higher toxicity. A tight membrane, such as a forward osmosis (FO) membrane, together with an anaerobic biological process can ensure that no TMAH is released into the environment. Thus, for the first time, an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor (AnOMBR) hybrid system was developed in this study to treat a low-strength TMAH wastewater and to simultaneously investigate its microbial community. Microfiltration extraction was used to mitigate the salinity accumulation, and a periodically physical water cleaning was utilized to mitigate the FO membrane fouling. The diluted draw solute (MgSO4) was reconcentrated and reused by a membrane distillation (MD) process in the AnOMBR to achieve 99.99% TMAH removal in this AnOMBR-MD hybrid system, thereby ensuring that no TMAH is released into the natural environment. Moreover, the membrane fouling in the feed and draw sides were analyzed through the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) spectrophotometry to confirm that the humic acid-like materials were the primary membrane fouling components in this AnOMBR. Additionally, 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis indicated that Methanosaeta was the predominant contributor to methanogenesis and proliferated during the long-term operation. The methane yield was increased from 0.2 to 0.26 L CH4/g COD when the methanogen species acclimatized to the saline system.