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Post-construction settlement in embankments is a crucial quality indicator and a significant factor influencing the long-term stability of roadbeds. Especially for the mixed-fill materials, by considering the uncertainty of composition and mechanical properties, it is important to predict and take construction measures to control post-construction settlement. In this paper, taking the construction of high-fill embankments with red bed soft rock mixture as the background, the deformation characteristics of mixed-fill materials were revealed first. Then, a dynamic–static coupling method for roadbed filling was proposed, and corresponding control parameters were provided. Finally, by employing ABAQUS 2016 for long-term settlement numerical simulations and conducting load-bearing preloading tests, the deformation patterns of the high embankment with red bed soft rock mixture fill roadbed were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of exosomes from human T lymphocyte line (H9) treated with HIV envelope protein gp120 on macrophage polarization. Methods: The viability of gp120-treated H9 T lymphocytes was assessed using the CCK8 assay. Inflammatory cytokine levels in the supernatant of H9 cells were determined by ELISA. Exosome characteristics were identified through electron microscopy and Western blot experiments. PHK67 staining was employed to observe the uptake of exosomes by macrophages. Finally, macrophage polarization markers were detected using ELISA and immuno-fluorescence to analyze the impact of gp120-treated T cell exosomes on macrophage polarization. Results: HIV gp120 protein inhibited the proliferation of human T lymphocytes H9 and promoted the release of inflammatory cytokines. Exosomes from H9 T lymphocytes were successfully isolated, displaying a cup-shaped membranous structure under electron microscopy and overexpressing marker proteins CD9, CD63, and CD81. PHK67 staining results indicated that exosomes from H9 cells could be internalized by macrophages. Exosomes from gp120-treated H9 cells promoted the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 pheno-type. Conclusion: Exosomes secreted by human T lymphocytes H9 treated with HIV envelope protein gp120 can promote M2 polarization of macrophages, suggesting a potential novel mechanism of gp120 in immune modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the biological effect of adenosine A2b receptor (A2bR) on the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, three A2bR siRNA constructs were transiently transfected into HepG2 cells. The results showed that A2bR siRNA reduced the levels of A2bR mRNA and protein. In order to further detect the function of A2bR, we established a stable hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) expressing siRNA targeting the adenosine A2b receptor. Targeted RNAi significantly inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro, and flow cytometry (FCM) showed that significantly more cells expressing A2bR siRNA were in the G0/G1 phase compared to the untransfected group ((89.56% ± 3.15%) versus (56.19% ± 1.58%), P < 0.01). These results indicated that silencing the expression of adenosine A2b receptor in HepG2 cells can suppress cell growth effectively by blockingthe cell cycle. Downregulation of adenosine A2b receptor gene expression with RNA interference could be a new approach to hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors are genetically encoded tools that enable the imaging of biological processes in the context of cells, tissues, or live animals. Though widely used in biological research, practically all existing biosensors are far from ideal in terms of their performance, properties, and applicability for multiplexed imaging. These limitations have inspired researchers to explore an increasing number of innovative and creative ways to improve and maximize biosensor performance. Such strategies include new molecular biology methods to develop promising biosensor prototypes, high throughput microfluidics-based directed evolution screening strategies, and improved ways to perform multiplexed imaging. Yet another approach is to effectively replace components of biosensors with self-labeling proteins, such as HaloTag, that enable the biocompatible incorporation of synthetic fluorophores or other ligands in cells or tissues. This mini-review will summarize and highlight recent innovations and strategies for enhancing the performance of FP-based biosensors for multiplexed imaging to advance the frontiers of research., (© 2023 The Author(s).)