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It has been found that CD226 plays an important role in regulating macrophage function, but its expression and function on macrophage during renal fibrogenesis have not been studied. Our data demonstrated that CD226 expression in macrophages was obviously upregulated in the UUO model, while CD226 deficiency attenuated collagen deposition in renal inerestitum along with fewer number of M1 within renal cortex and renal medulla and a lower level of proinflammatory factors compared to control littermates. Further studies demonstrated that Cd226-/–BMDMs transferring to Cd226+/+ mice could significantly reduce the tubular injury, collagen deposition and proinflammatory cytokines secretion compared with WT-BMDMs group and WT-PBS group in adoptively transferring assay. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CD226 could suppress KLF4 expression in macrophages, which subsequently promoted more proinflammatory M1 accumulation in the kidney of WT mice than that of CD226 deficient mice. In vitro, we silenced KLF4 expression in BMDMs deriving from WT or CD226 deficient mice and the trend that CD226 promting more numbers of M1 disappeared. Therefore, our results uncover a pathogenic role of CD226 during the development of CKD by promoting monocyte infiltration from peripheral blood into the kidney and enhancing macrophage activation towards to the inflammatory phenotype by suppressing KLF4 expression.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory and recurring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Monocytes and macrophages are major components of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), and the balance between inflammatory monocytes and small peritoneal macrophages plays important roles in UC. However, the mechanisms governing the balance between inflammatory monocytes and small peritoneal macrophages in UC need to be clarified further. Here, we found that the expression levels of CD226 on different subsets of monocytes/macrophages are varied in UC mice. The expression levels of CD226 on patrolling monocytes (pMos) and small peritoneal macrophages (SPMs) were markedly increased, while the expression levels of CD226 on inflammatory monocytes (iMos) were decreased in UC mice. Significantly, the percentage of iMos was enhanced while the percentage of SPMs were decreased in CD226 knockout UC mice compared with that in wildtype UC mice. Moreover, CD226 deficiency suppressed the migration capacity of macrophages. Therefore, our data suggest that CD226 plays critical roles in regulating the function and balance of monocytes/macrophages in mouse UC and targeting CD226 in MPS may be developed as a potent therapy for UC.

Purpose The primary goal of the present study was to explore and evaluate the highly conserved Neisserial surface protein A (NspA) molecule, fused with truncated HBV virus-like particles (VLPs), as a candidate vaccine against the virulent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NMB). Methods NspA was inserted into the major immunodominant region of the truncated hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc; amino acids 1-144). The chimeric protein, HBc-N144-NspA, was expressed from a prokaryotic vector and generated HBc-like particles, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Further, the chimeric protein and control proteins were used to immunize mice and the resulting immune responses evaluated by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and analysis of serum bactericidal activity (SBA) titer. Results Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the recombinant HBc-N144-NspA protein showed that it elicited the production of high levels of NspA-specific total IgG. The SBA titer of HBc-N144-NspA/F reached 1:16 2 weeks after the last immunization in BALB/c mice, when human serum complement was included in the vaccine. Immunization of HBc-N144-NspA, even without adjuvant, induced high levels of IL-4 and a high IgG1 to IgG2a ratio, confirming induction of an intense Th2 immune response. Levels of IL-17A increased rapidly in mice after the first immunization with HBc-N144-NspA, indicating the potential for this vaccine to induce a mucosal immune response. Meanwhile, the immunization of HBc-N144-NspA without adjuvant induced only mild inflammatory infiltration into the mouse muscle tissue. Conclusion This study demonstrates that modification using HBc renders NspA a candidate vaccine, which can trigger protective immunity against NMB.

The high rock slope situated in the Southwest stope of Taiping Mining, Inner Mongolia, is subject to dumping failure due to its instability. The dumping body rock layer of this stope shows obvious bending and lowering of the head. The overturning angle of the rock strata can reach 46°, and tension dislocation along the rock joint can be observed in exposed sections and at the bedding and lithologic interface. The sliding surface also displays a broken line morphology. Through evaluation of regional rock integrity parameters and rock soft and hard parameters, rock-mass strength based on Hoek Brown strength estimation criteria can be developed. Based on the discrete element method, the geological model of layered excavation of the thin layer slope can be constructed. Combined with indoor and outdoor assessments, the characteristics of toppling deformation of the thin layer open-air slope can be studied and summarized. In this study, simulation analysis showed that under first excavation conditions, a crack-, dump-, and antislip zone was formed. The rock in the crack zone formed a “

During the COVID-19 epidemic, our national guidelines have suggested that surgical patients should wear a mask to decrease the potential transmission of COVID-19 in the operating room, as long as the condition allows. However, so far, there is no study to discuss the influence of wearing a mask on the ventilation and blood oxygenation status in patients of spontaneous breathing with supplementary oxygen through an anesthetic facemask. This is a before-after study in the same patient, and 10 healthy volunteers were recruited, by testing the arterial blood gas parameters at key time points before and after oxygen inhalation to evaluate the effects of two different supplementary oxygen methods (‘disposable medical mask + anesthetic facemask’ and ‘anesthetic facemask only’) on the oxygenation of subjects. Our data demonstrated whether wearing a disposable medical mask or not could effectively increase the oxygen supply of the subjects compared with the basic value before oxygen inhalation; however, compared with the group without mask, the arterial oxygen partial (PaO(2)) reduced significantly at each time points when subjects wearing a disposable medical mask. There was no significant difference in other parameters, and our data showed that age growth and smoking had no significant effects on the difference of PaO(2) between the groups with and without masks. This study demonstrates effective oxygen supplementation through anesthetic facemask in subjects with spontaneous breathing who is wearing a disposable medical mask, whose pulse oxygen saturation and arterial oxygen saturation can reach 100% rapidly, and this provides a theoretical basis for the management of patients with disseminated respiratory diseases to wear masks in the operating room; however, the rate and amount of PaO(2) increase are both decreased as compared to those who is not wearing a disposable medical mask during supplementary oxygenation. Whether this difference will affect the clinical outcome needs further study.

Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is a human-specific pathogen and a major cause of meningitis and septicemia with a high case fatality rate. N. meningitidis may penetrate the nasopharyngeal mucosal membrane and cause severe meningitis, a mucosal immune response plays a key role in the defense against meningococcal infections. Our previous study demonstrated that N. meningitidis serogroup B 0315 (NMB0315) was a vaccine candidate against N. meningitidis serogroup B (NMB) through parenteral immunization. In this study, immunopotentiators (C48/80 or CpG-ODN) were loaded into chitosan nanoparticle (Chi NP) to form combination adjuvants (Chi-CpG NP and Chi-C48/80 NP) and adopted to enhance the immunogenicity of NMB0315 through intranasal immunization. The experimental results have indicated that both Chi-CpG NP and Chi-C48/80 NP are effective mucosal adjuvants for the induction of significantly higher rNMB0315-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and sIgA antibodies. Meanwhile, Chi-CpG NP and Chi-C48/80 NP could change the ratio of IgG1/IgG2a, inducing a more balanced cellular/humoral immune response. Chi-CpG NP and Chi-C48/80 NP also boosted interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 A (IL-17A) production by splenocytes. The bactericidal antibodies have been detected in sera from mice immunized with rNMB0315 + Chi-CpG NP and rNMB0315 + Chi-C48/80 NP. Overall, the combination adjuvants could be applicable to the development of a mucosal vaccine against NMB.

Background Delayed cesarean section (CS) healing causes stress, recurrent infections, and mental distress to the mother after parturition. In this study, an attempt was made to increase the speed of wound healing with alginate-aloe vera/ZnO NPs film plus mupirocin. Methods 800 pregnant women in two groups of control (normal cream + mupirocin) and film-treated (alginate-aloe vera/ZnO NPs film + mupirocin) underwent CS in the second affiliated hospital of Xi'an Medical School. After 12 and 24 days, the wound healing process was assessed using the REEDA wound scale. ZnO NPs and films were prepared through chemically and solvent-casted ways, respectively. The physicochemical properties of NPs and films were also investigated by SEM, FTIR and in vitro degradation. Results The outputs showed that the NPs were successfully loaded onto the prepared film and the film was easily digested in SBF solution. The results also showed no difference in demographic characteristics such as age, BMI, education and economic levels between the two groups. But the film-treated group had lower values of redness, ecchymosis, edema and CS approximation compared to the control. Finally, the recovery process of patients with alginate-aloe vera/ZnO NPs film plus mupirocin was faster than that of the control and almost none of the patients experienced an allergic reaction. Conclusion Overall, the use of alginate-aloe vera/ZnO NPs film plus mupirocin can be considered as a new treatment to reduce the complication of CS approximation by accelerating the healing process.

YongLi Hou,1 Ting Yan,2 Hui Cao,1 Peng Liu,1 Kang Zheng,1 Zhenyu Li,1 Qing Deng,1 SiHai Hu11Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Health Services, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: SiHai HuInstitution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, 28 West Changsheng Road, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 1 397 340 7567Fax +86 734 828 2907Email hhsshh_518@163.comPurpose: The primary goal of the present study was to explore and evaluate the highly conserved Neisserial surface protein A (NspA) molecule, fused with truncated HBV virus-like particles (VLPs), as a candidate vaccine against the virulent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NMB).Methods: NspA was inserted into the major immunodominant region of the truncated hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc; amino acids 1–144). The chimeric protein, HBc-N144-NspA, was expressed from a prokaryotic vector and generated HBc-like particles, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Further, the chimeric protein and control proteins were used to immunize mice and the resulting immune responses evaluated by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and analysis of serum bactericidal activity (SBA) titer.Results: Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the recombinant HBc-N144-NspA protein showed that it elicited the production of high levels of NspA-specific total IgG. The SBA titer of HBc-N144-NspA/F reached 1:16 2 weeks after the last immunization in BALB/c mice, when human serum complement was included in the vaccine. Immunization of HBc-N144-NspA, even without adjuvant, induced high levels of IL-4 and a high IgG1 to IgG2a ratio, confirming induction of an intense Th2 immune response. Levels of IL-17A increased rapidly in mice after the first immunization with HBc-N144-NspA, indicating the potential for this vaccine to induce a mucosal immune response. Meanwhile, the immunization of HBc-N144-NspA without adjuvant induced only mild inflammatory infiltration into the mouse muscle tissue.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that modification using HBc renders NspA a candidate vaccine, which can trigger protective immunity against NMB.Keywords: hepatitis B core protein, Neisserial surface protein A, virus-like particles, recombinant protein vaccine, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B

Background: Recently, many clinical experiments have evaluated the influences of liraglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, the outcomes of these studies are inconsistent, and the number of high-quality prospective trials that conducted to assess the cardiovascular safety is limited. Hence, for this research, it was implemented for the assessment of the cardiovascular effectiveness and safety of liraglutide in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: This research was a 26-week active controlled and randomized trial. Our research protocol follows the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice issued via the Helsinki Declaration and International Conference on Coordination. All the patients will receive the written informed consent in order to involve in our clinical experiment. The participants with type 2 diabetes aged from 18 years to 80 years, patients with 45.0 kg/m2 body-mass index or less, and with glycosylated hemoglobin of 7.5 to 10.0 percent, and received metformin (daily 1500 mg or more) for 3 months or longer were eligible. All the patients were randomized to 1 of 2 interventions (in the ratio of 1:1): liraglutide placebo once daily (blinded) and liraglutide once daily (blinded), respectively, both combined with the glimepiride and metformin (open-labeled). For the efficacy variable, the major endpoint was the baseline glycated hemoglobin change after treating for 26 weeks. The secondary end points involved: the percentage of participants who achieved the goals of postprandial blood glucose, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin; the changes of mean postprandial blood glucose, fasting blood glucose, and the body weight, pancreatic B-cell function index, and changes in blood pressure and insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model. Conclusions: For this research, the limitations involve the short trial period and the limitation of glimepiride in some countries, thus excluding the maximum doses of glimepiride. Trial registration: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6306).

Foam is widely used in the petroleum industry thanks to its unique properties and performance. Its application to water control in oil wells has received more and more attention. The stability of nitrogen foam was investigated in pressurized equipment and sand pack. The result indicated that with increasing pressure (0–2 MPa) the stability of foam in the pressurized equipment increased linearly. Increased nitrogen injection pressure caused better dispersion of nitrogen-foaming solution in porous media. The initial residual resistance factor to gas was an exponential function of injection pressure, but the residual resistance factor (to gas and liquid) decreased exponentially with time. The half-life of foam in porous media (expressed in residual resistance factor) was much longer than that in bulk phase (expressed in foam height). Pore model analysis indicated that good dispersion in porous media and the presence of thick liquid film during dispersion were the main reasons for high stability. Field test indicated that effective residence of foam in the formation not only resulted in much better heat insulation, but also improved steam stimulation by enhancing steam heating.

Carbon dioxide reacts with porous media while flowing through them enhancing their permeability. Its flow behavior as well as the permeability enhancement effects were studied in synthetic cores, natural cores and microtubes with an inner diameter of 5 μm. The results show that the permeability of H2O-saturated cores (containing carbonate ingredients) was enhanced by increasing the injection volume of a CO2-H2O solution. This enhancement is attributable to carbon dioxide’s corrosion, which is justified by SEM scanning. The same phenomenon occurs with a CO2-H2O solution in microtubes, but for a different reason. The gas flow velocity of carbon dioxide in microtubes was approximately 100% faster than that of nitrogen because of the scale and the squeezing effects. Carbon dioxide molecules dissolved in water accelerate the diffusion rate of water molecules within the boundary layer, which in turn diminishes the thickness of the water film and enlarges the effective pore size. This flow behavior facilitates the injection of carbon dioxide into low-permeability reservoirs for oil-displacement and formation energy buildup purposes. This behavior also increases the potential for carbon dioxide channeling or release from the formation.