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l-Arginine is an important nutrient in the infant diet that significantly regulates the maturation of the immune system in neonates, including the maturation of CD4+ T cells. The biological activities of CD4+ T cells differ substantially between neonates and adults, and these differences may be governed by epigenetic processes. Investigating these differences and the causative processes may help understand neonatal and developmental immunity. In this study, we compared the functional DNA methylation profiles in CD4+ T cells of neonates and adults, focusing on the role of l-arginine supplementation. Umbilical cord blood and adult CD4+ T cells were cultured with/without l-arginine treatment. By comparing DNA methylation in samples without l-arginine treatment, we found that CD4+ T cells of neonatal cord blood generally showed higher DNA methylation than those of adults (average CpG methylation percentage 0.6305 for neonate and 0.6254 for adult, t-test p-value &lt, 0.0001), suggesting gene silencing in neonates. By examining DNA methylation patterns of CpG dinucleotides induced by l-arginine treatment, we found that more CpG dinucleotides were hypomethylated and more genes appeared to be activated in neonatal T-cells as compared with adult. Genes activated by l-arginine stimulation of cord blood samples were more enriched regarding immune-related pathways. CpG dinucleotides at IL-13 promoter regions were hypomethylated after l-arginine stimulation. Hypomethylated CpG dinucleotides corresponded to higher IL-13 gene expression and cytokine production. Thus, DNA methylation partially accounts for the mechanism underlying differential immune function in neonates. Modulatory effects of l-arginine on DNA methylation are gene-specific. Nutritional intervention is a potential strategy to modulate immune function of neonates.

We propose that a C-type lectin receptor, SIGNR-1 (also called Cd209b), helps to condition dendritic cells (DCs) in the gastrointestinal lamina propria (LPDCs) for the induction of oral tolerance in a model of food-induced anaphylaxis. Oral delivery of BSA bearing 51 molecules of mannoside (Man(51)-BSA) substantially reduced the BSA-induced anaphylactic response. Man(51)-BSA selectively targeted LPDCs that expressed SIGNR1 and induced the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10), but not IL-6 or IL-12 p70. We found the same effects in IL-10-GFP knock-in (tiger) mice treated with Man(51)-BSA. The Man(51)-BSA-SIGNR1 axis in LPDCs, both in vitro and in vivo, promoted the generation of CD4(+) type 1 regulatory T (Tr1)-like cells that expressed IL-10 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), in a SIGNR-1- and IL-10-dependent manner, but not of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. The Tr1-like cells could transfer tolerance. These results suggest that sugar-modified antigens might be used to induce oral tolerance by targeting SIGNR1 and LPDCs.

Moderate exercise that causes maximal oxygen consumption between 50% and 70% has long been shown to promote cardiopulmonary functions and perceptional health. It remains to be determined whether different moderate exercises have different effects on neuro-related hormones (ACTH, AGPR, CNFT, FSH, GH and LH levels). This study was conducted to investigate whether a regular music aerobic exercise (MAE) had similar or different effects on neuro-related hormones before and after a 12-week exercise. Forty middle-age women were recur ited for this study, thirty eligible for regular weekly MAE schedule were enrolled into the experimental group and completed pre- and post-test. The other 10 participants who were not eligible to the MAE schedule were enrolled into the parallel control group without exercise. Results showed that the MAE exercise for 12 weeks did not change ACTH, AGRP, CNTF or LH, but selectively improved FSH (p = .07) and GH (p < .001). The parallel control group without exercise revealed insignificant change of ACTH, AGPR, CNFT, FSH, GH and LH levels. This study shows that music aerobic exercise increases blood FSH and GH levels. It may be worthwhile to encourage MAE exercise for middle-age adults to promote neuro-related hormones.

Purpose : To study the pathomechanism of shock wave injuries to the femoral artery, vein and nerve in dogs. Materials and methods : High-energy shock wave (0.47 mJ/mm 2 energy flux density) were applied to the right femoral artery, vein and nerve in nine mongrels, and the left side was used as control. Macroscopic examinations including structure integrity, edema, discolouration and extravasation; and microscopic examinations including detachment of the intima layer, disruption of the medium layer, capillary congestion, neutrophil margination and extravasation of the outer layer and the surrounding tissues were performed in 2 h, and in 4 days, respectively, after shock wave application. Results : The most serious injuries included disruption of the medium layer with separation from the adventitia layer of the femoral artery. The injuries to the femoral vein and nerve predominantly involved the outer adventitia layer and the surrounding tissues. Mild nerve bundle swelling was noted in most cases. There were capillary congestion, neutrophil margination and extravasation indicative of inflammatory tissue reaction after shock wave application. Conclusion : High-energy shock waves caused serious injuries to the femoral artery, vein and nerve, especially the femoral artery and inflammatory reaction to the surrounding tissues.

To study the pathomechanism of shock wave injuries to the femoral artery, vein and nerve in dogs.High-energy shock wave (0.47 mJ/mm(2) energy flux density) were applied to the right femoral artery, vein and nerve in nine mongrels, and the left side was used as control. Macroscopic examinations including structure integrity, edema, discolouration and extravasation; and microscopic examinations including detachment of the intima layer, disruption of the medium layer, capillary congestion, neutrophil margination and extravasation of the outer layer and the surrounding tissues were performed in 2 h, and in 4 days, respectively, after shock wave application.The most serious injuries included disruption of the medium layer with separation from the adventitia layer of the femoral artery. The injuries to the femoral vein and nerve predominantly involved the outer adventitia layer and the surrounding tissues. Mild nerve bundle swelling was noted in most cases. There were capillary congestion, neutrophil margination and extravasation indicative of inflammatory tissue reaction after shock wave application.High-energy shock waves caused serious injuries to the femoral artery, vein and nerve, especially the femoral artery and inflammatory reaction to the surrounding tissues.