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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qili Qiangxin Capsule (QLQXC) combined with western medicine in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) comorbid with heart failure (HF) for clinical application. Methods We searched relevant references in Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and China Biology Medicine (CBM), as well as English databases including PubMed and Embase, from the foundation of the database to January 8, 2023, without language restrictions. All statistical analyses, including subgroup and sensitivity analyses, were performed using the Review Manager (version 5.4) and Stata (version 15.0). Results QLQXC combined with western medicine significantly increased the endpoints of overall response rate (ORR) (P < 0.000 01), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P < 0.000 01), the score of Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) (P = 0.000 2), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (P < 0.000 01), decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (P < 0.000 01), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) (P = 0.03), and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) (P < 0.000 01), and reduced the incidence of rehospitalization (P = 0.000 3) and adverse events (AEs) (P = 0.000 6) compared with those under the conventional western therapy alone. Nonetheless, no significant difference was observed in reducing the mortality between the QLQXC combined with western medicine group and the western medicine group (P = 0.30). Conclusion The combination therapy of QLQXC with western medicine can potentiate cardiac function and raise the quality of life in patients with ICM comorbid with HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a single-stage Super Class-AB operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) using current reuse technique is presented. It is based on two scaled current mirrors located at the tail current nodes of input pairs, reusing the current through the cross-coupled input pairs by a current gain factor of α, and delivering new currents to the output branch, enhancing the overall transconductance (G m) by a factor of (1+α). With adaptive biasing and local common mode feedback (LCMFB), slew rate (SR), open loop gain (A OL) and gain-bandwidth product (GBW) are improved. An prototype has been designed in TSMC 0.18-μm CMOS process. Post-simulation shows the positive and negative slew rate of 22V/μs and −38.3V/μs, respectively, a GBW of 3.72 MHz, a DC gain of 65.6 dB with a phase margin of 69.2° for a capacitive load of 70 pF. The proposed OTA consumes a total power of 16.2 μW under a 1.8V supply voltage. • Transconductance is enhanced through current reuse by a factor of (1+α). • Slew rate, open loop gain and gain-bandwidth of the OTA are simulated and analyzed. • Adaptive biasing and local common mode feedback are utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is a disease closely associated with inflammation, and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammatory marker. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between SII and HF. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1998 to 2018 to include adults who reported a diagnosis of HF and complete information on the calculation of SII. SII was calculated as platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. We used multiple logistic regression models to examine the association between SII and HF and explored possible influencing factors by subgroup analysis. In addition, we performed smoothed curve fitting and threshold effect analysis to describe the nonlinear relationship. The population-based study involved a total of 48,155 adults ages 20–85. Multivariate logistic regression showed that participants with the highest SII had a statistically significant 32% increased risk of HF prevalence compared to those with the lowest SII (OR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06–1.65, P = 0.0144) in a fully adjusted model. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant interactions between SII and specific subgroups (p > 0.05 for all interactions). Furthermore, the association between SII and HF was non-linear; the inflection point was 1104.78 (1000 cells/μl). Based on our findings, elevated SII levels were found to be strongly associated with the risk of HF, and SII was nonlinearly associated with HF. To validate these findings, a larger prospective investigation is needed to support the results of this study and investigate potential problems. • Elevated systemic immunity-inflammation index levels were found to be strongly associated with the risk of heart failure. • The relation between systemic immunity-inflammation index and heart failure is nonlinear, and the inflection point is 1104.78 (1000 cells/μl). • When systemic immunity-inflammation index levels were lower than 1104.78(1000 cells/μl), the prevalence of heart failure increased with the increase of systemic immunity-inflammation index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempt to explore the role of miR-217 during the process of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Mouse β-TC-tet was dealt with 16.7 mM glucose (HG) to imitate the cells in T2DM. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry. The correlation between miR-217 and Mafb was predicted with biological software and confirmed by dual lucifierase assay. Western blot was applied to detect protein expression. The data from GEO database exhibited that miR-217 was upregulated in T2DM patients. HG treatment upregulated the expression of miR-217, inhibited the proliferation, and promoted the apoptosis and inflammation of β-TC-tet cell. Depletion of miR-217 alleviated the damage of β-TC-tet cell caused by HG. Mafb was affirmed as a target of miR-217 and was negatively modulated by miR-217. Knockdown of Mafb attenuated the alleviation of miR-217 inhibitor on β-TC-tet cell damage. The expression of key proteins in NF-κB signaling pathway was upregulated by HG, and this upregulation tendency was inhibited by miR-217 inhibitor. Moreover, silencing Mafb could alleviate the inhibition of miR-217 inhibitor on these proteins. Our findings insinuated that inhibition of miR-217 could relieve β-TC-tet damage induced by HG through regulating Mafb and NF-κB signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase is a serine/threonine kinase that is involved in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, the cell cycle, and ion channel function. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the microRNA (miRNA) binding site of the SGK3 gene and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Three SGK3 loci, rs77572541, rs11994200, and rs78158330, were genotyped in 226 NPC patients and 226 healthy controls via Sanger sequencing. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze levels of SGK3 messenger RNA (mRNA), hsa-miR-3529-5p, hsa-miR-379-5p, hsa-miR-498, hsa-miR-4320, and hsa-miR-590-3p. Western blot analysis was used to assess serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase 3 (SGK3) protein expression. Results:SGK3 rs77572541 locus G allele carriers were 3.47 times more likely to develop NPC than carriers of the A allele (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.98–6.09, p < 0.01). The SGK3 rs11994200 locus C allele was a major risk factor for NPC (odds ratio = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.63–4.39, p < 0.01). Similarly, carriers of the C allele of the SGK3 rs78158330 locus were 3.36 times more likely to develop NPC than those with the T allele (95% CI = 1.96–5.73, p < 0.01). The SGK3 protein was highly expressed in NPC. The SGK3 rs77572541 locus G allele is the target of hsa-miR-379-5p and hsa-miR-3529-5p, but the A allele is not. The SGK3 rs11994200 locus C allele was the target of hsa-miR-4320, and the G allele was the target of hsa-miR-498. The SGK3 rs78158330 locus T allele was the target of hsa-miR-590-3p. Hsa-miR-3529-5p, hsa-miR-379-5p, and hsa-miR-4320 were down-regulated in NPC tissues (p < 0.01), whereas hsa-miR-498 and hsa-miR-590-3p were highly expressed (p < 0.01). Conclusions: SNPs at the SGK3 loci rs77572541, rs11994200, and rs78158330 are significantly associated with the risk for NPC. These effects may be related to the influence of miRNAs on different alleles, but this needs to be verified both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence rate of measles in China reached a nadir in 2012 after 2 supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were undertaken in 2009 and 2010. However, the disease began re-emerging in 2013, with a high prevalence rate observed in 2013-2014 in the southern province of Guangdong. In this study, we assessed the changes that occurred in measles epidemiology during 2009-2016, particularly between 2009 and 2011 (when the influence of the SIAs were in full effect) and between 2012 and 2016 (when this influence subsided).Methods: Data from 22,362 patients with measles diagnosed between 2009 and 2016, and whose diagnoses were confirmed clinically and/or with laboratory testing, were extracted from the National Infectious Disease Monitoring Information System. Descriptive analyses were performed, and changes in epidemiological characteristics between 2009 and 2011 and 2012-2016 were compared.Results: There was a substantial surge in 0-8-month-old patients after 2012; the incidence rate increased from 4.0 per 100,000 population in 2011 (10.3% of the total) to 280 per 100,000 population in 2013 (32.8% of the total). Patients aged 0-6 years represented 73.4% of the total increase between 2011 and 2013. Compared with 2009-2011, adults aged ≥25 years accounted for a higher proportion of patients in 2013 and after (p < 0.01), and were highest in 2016 (31% of the patient total).Conclusion: Despite the remarkable results achieved by SIAs in terms of providing herd immunity, the 2013 resurgence of measles revealed insufficient immunization coverage among children. Therefore routine immunization programs should be strengthened, and supplementary vaccinations targeting adults should also be contemplated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Bacterial infections may lead to diverse acute or chronic diseases (e.g., inflammation, sepsis and cancer). New antibiotics against bacteria are rarely discovered in recent years, which necessitates the exploration of new antibacterial agents. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been extensively studied for antibacterial use because of their long lasting killing effects in wide spectra of bacteria. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most widely studied ENMs and exhibit strong bactericidal effects. The physicochemical properties of GO play important roles in bacterial killing by triggering a cascade of toxic events. Many studies have explored the signaling pathways of GO in bacteria. Although molecular initiating events (MIEs) of GO in bacteria dominate its killing efficiency as well as toxicity mechanisms, they have been rarely reviewed. In this report, we discussed the structure–activity relationships (SARs) involved in GO-induced bacterial killing and the MIEs including redox reaction with biomolecules, mechanical destruction of membranes and catalysis of extracellular metabolites. Furthermore, we summarized the clinical or commercial applications of GO-based antibacterial products and discussed their biosafety in mammal. Finally, we reviewed the remaining challenges in GO for antibacterial applications, which may offer new insights for the development of nano antibacterial studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay of different virus species in a host cell after infection can affect the adaptation of each virus. Endogenous viral elements, such as endogenous pararetroviruses (PRVs), have arisen from vertical inheritance of viral sequences integrated into host germline genomes. As viral genomic fossils, these sequences can thus serve as valuable paleogenomic data to study the long-term evolutionary dynamics of virus–virus interactions, but they have rarely been applied for this purpose. All extant PRVs have been considered autonomous species in their parasitic life cycle in host cells. Here, we provide evidence for multiple non-autonomous PRV species with structural defects in viral activity that have frequently infected ancient grass hosts and adapted through interplay between viruses. Our paleogenomic analyses using endogenous PRVs in grass genomes revealed that these non-autonomous PRV species have participated in interplay with autonomous PRVs in a possible commensal partnership, or, alternatively, with one another in a possible mutualistic partnership. These partnerships, which have been established by the sharing of noncoding regulatory sequences (NRSs) in intergenic regions between two partner viruses, have been further maintained and altered by the sequence homogenization of NRSs between partners. Strikingly, we found that frequent region-specific recombination, rather than mutation selection, is the main causative mechanism of NRS homogenization. Our results, obtained from ancient DNA records of viruses, suggest that adaptation of PRVs has occurred by concerted evolution of NRSs between different virus species in the same host. Our findings further imply that evaluation of within-host NRS interactions within and between populations of viral pathogens may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pH-responsive carrier based on an ethylenediaminetetraacetic-calcium-alginate (EDTA-Ca-Alg) system was developed by controlling the release of Ca 2+ . The system remained in the solution state at neutral pH since EDTA completely chelated the Ca 2+ . In contrast, a hydrogel immediately formed when the pH was below 4.0, which triggered the in situ release of Ca 2+ from the EDTA-Ca compound and led to alginate-Ca binding. Taking advantage of the pH sensitivity, we prepared hydrogel microspheres with uniform size to entrap Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 through emulsification. In an acidic environment, the hydrogel structure remained compact with negligible pores to protect L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103. However, in a neutral intestinal environment, the hydrogel structure gradually disassembled because of the Ca 2+ release from the hydrogel, which caused cell release. Therefore, a pH-responsive carrier was developed for the protection and the controlled release of cells in gastrointestinal tract, thus providing potential for oral delivery of probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface morphology of calcium alginate hydrogel microspheres (CAHM) with ultrahigh water content has been found to affect the interaction with proteins and cells in vivo . In this study, an optical interferometer is developed to firstly characterize spherical surface morphology of CAHM in wet and in situ under normal pressure and temperature. CAHM shows smoother surface with significant lower roughness than flat alginate membrane, which also contribute to significantly different surface morphology between spherical microcapsules and flat membrane after coating with chitosan. These results help to update the previous knowledge that flat surface can be used to simulate spherical surface for understanding hydrogel behavior to protein adsorption. Meanwhile, CAHM is characterized by SEM techniques with drying process at varying degrees, which demonstrates deviated surface morphology to the original wet surface. Therefore, the optical interferometer is proved a useful tool to acquire the authentic and accurate surface information of spherical hydrogels at applied wet state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In insect, fat body plays major roles in insect innate immunity. Phenoloxidase (PO) is an important component in insect innate immunity and is necessary for acclimatization. In our study, two prophenoloxidase (PPO) subunits were obtained from fat body of Catantops pinguis (Stål). The full-length cDNA sequence of one PPO (CpPPO1) consisted of 2347 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2187 bp encoding 728 amino acids, while the other subunit (CpPPO2) had a full length of 2445 bp, encoding 691 amino acids. Both the PPO gene products are predicted to possess all the structural features of other PPO members, including two putative tyrosinase copper-binding motifs with six highly conserved histidine residues and a thiolester-like motif. Tissue distribution analysis showed that both PPO mRNAs were abundantly expressed in the fat body among 11 tissues examined, and they were transiently up-regulated after Escherichia coli infection, consistent with them being immune-responsive genes. Total levels of CpPPO1 and CpPPO2 mRNA transcripts were much higher in first instar larvae and adults. A much higher transcript level of CpPPO1 was detected in several months, while there were extremely high mRNA expression levels of CpPPO2 in January, July, October, and December. The above results suggested that PPO from fat body might also bring significant function during the processes of development and acclimatization for C. pinguis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Total saponins of Panax notoginseng (tPNS), main constituents extracted from Panax Notoginseng, a highly valued traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to increase protein expression and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Aims of the study: The effects of tPNS on angiogenesis were studied in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). Materials and methods: rBMSCs were stimulated by tPNS of 48h. The mRNA expression levels of VEGF-A, Flt-1 and Kdr in rBMSCs were determined by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). rBMSCs were induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells and the effects of tPNS on the angiogenesis ability of rBMSCs and rBMSCs after endothelial differentiation were assayed by a Matrigel model in vivo and in vitro. Results: tPNS (100μg/ml) significantly enhanced the mRNA expression level of VEGF-A and Kdr compared to the control group, while they had no obvious effect on the expression of Flt-1. tPNS (1μg/ml and 100μg/ml) significantly increased capillary network forming of rBMSCs after endothelial differentiation in Matrigel in vitro. tPNS (50μg/kg, 100μg/kg and 150μg/kg) also significantly increased angiogenesis induced by the combination with implantation of rBMSCs and Matrigel in vivo. Conclusion: tPNS up-regulate VEGF-A and Kdr expression, and promote angiogenesis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

According to Bakker and Demerouti's work demand resource theory, abundant work resources can stimulate an individual's initiative to the maximum extent and finally achieve ideal work results. However, few scholars have discussed if psychological states could affect work resources. We believe that relationship embeddedness is an important work resource in the context of Chinese human relationship culture. A low degree of embeddedness among employees would affect employees' recognition of their organizations and reduce their motivation for voluntary innovative behaviours. This study was to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between psychological contracts and employee innovative behaviours as well as the mediating role and moderating role of relational embeddedness and organizational tenure. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Primary data were collected by a structured questionnaire targeting the employees in China. To test the hypotheses, data collected from 402 enterprise employees were used for a regression analysis in AMOS (version 22). We found that there is a significant positive correlation between psychological contract and employee innovation behaviour, while embedding strength and embedding quality mediated the influence of psychological contracts on employee innovative behaviours. Organizational tenure moderated the strength of the relationship between psychological contracts and employee innovative behaviours via embedding strength and embedding quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While dehydrogenases play crucial roles in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of cell metabolism, which are extensively explored for biomedical and chemical engineering uses, it is a big challenge to overcome the shortcomings (low stability and high costs) of recombinant dehydrogenases. Herein, it is shown that two‐dimensional (2D) SnSe is capable of mimicking native dehydrogenases to efficiently catalyze hydrogen transfer from 1‐(R)‐2‐(R′)‐ethanol groups. In contrary to susceptible native dehydrogenases, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for instance, SnSe is extremely tolerant to reaction condition changes (pH, temperature, and organic solvents) and displays extraordinary reusable capability. Structure–activity analysis indicates that the single‐atom structure, Sn vacancy, and hydrogen binding affinity of SnSe may be responsible for their catalytic activity. Overall, this is the first report of a 2D SnSe nanozyme to mimic key dehydrogenases in cell metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While dehydrogenases play crucial roles in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of cell metabolism, which are extensively explored for biomedical and chemical engineering uses, it is a big challenge to overcome the shortcomings (low stability and high costs) of recombinant dehydrogenases. Herein, it is shown that two‐dimensional (2D) SnSe is capable of mimicking native dehydrogenases to efficiently catalyze hydrogen transfer from 1‐(R)‐2‐(R′)‐ethanol groups. In contrary to susceptible native dehydrogenases, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for instance, SnSe is extremely tolerant to reaction condition changes (pH, temperature, and organic solvents) and displays extraordinary reusable capability. Structure–activity analysis indicates that the single‐atom structure, Sn vacancy, and hydrogen binding affinity of SnSe may be responsible for their catalytic activity. Overall, this is the first report of a 2D SnSe nanozyme to mimic key dehydrogenases in cell metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm formation is a major threat to industry, the environment and human health. While killing of embedded microbes in biofilms may inevitably lead to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), catalytic quenching of bacterial communications by lactonase is a promising antifouling approach. Given the shortcomings of protein enzymes, it is attractive to engineer synthetic materials to mimic the activity of lactonase. Herein, an efficient lactonase‐like Zn−Nx−C nanomaterial was synthesized by tuning the coordination environment around zinc atoms to mimic the active domain of lactonase for catalytical interception of bacterial communications in biofilm formation. The Zn−Nx−C material could selectively catalyze 77.5 % hydrolysis of N‐acylated‐L‐homoserine lactone (AHL), a critical bacterial quorum sensing (QS) signal in biofilm construction. Consequently, AHL degradation downregulated the expression of QS‐related genes in antibiotic resistant bacteria and significantly prevented biofilm formation. As a proof of concept, Zn−Nx−C‐coated iron plates prevented 80.3 % biofouling after a month exposure in river. Overall, our study provides a nano‐enabled contactless antifouling insight to avoid AMR evolution by engineering nanomaterials for mimicking the key bacterial enzymes (e.g. lactonase) functioning in biofilm construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm formation is a major threat to industry, the environment and human health. While killing of embedded microbes in biofilms may inevitably lead to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), catalytic quenching of bacterial communications by lactonase is a promising antifouling approach. Given the shortcomings of protein enzymes, it is attractive to engineer synthetic materials to mimic the activity of lactonase. Herein, an efficient lactonase‐like Zn−Nx−C nanomaterial was synthesized by tuning the coordination environment around zinc atoms to mimic the active domain of lactonase for catalytical interception of bacterial communications in biofilm formation. The Zn−Nx−C material could selectively catalyze 77.5 % hydrolysis of N‐acylated‐L‐homoserine lactone (AHL), a critical bacterial quorum sensing (QS) signal in biofilm construction. Consequently, AHL degradation downregulated the expression of QS‐related genes in antibiotic resistant bacteria and significantly prevented biofilm formation. As a proof of concept, Zn−Nx−C‐coated iron plates prevented 80.3 % biofouling after a month exposure in river. Overall, our study provides a nano‐enabled contactless antifouling insight to avoid AMR evolution by engineering nanomaterials for mimicking the key bacterial enzymes (e.g. lactonase) functioning in biofilm construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guangdong province attracted more than 31 million migrants in 2010. But few studies were performed to estimate the complete and age-appropriate immunization coverage and determine risk factors of migrant children.Methods: 1610 migrant children aged 12-59 months from 70 villages were interviewed in Guangdong. Demographic characteristics, primary caregiver's knowledge and attitude toward immunization, and child's immunization history were obtained. UTD and age-appropriate immunization rates for the following five vaccines and the overall series (1:3:3:3:1 immunization series) were assessed: one dose of BCG, three doses of DTP, OPV and HepB, one dose of MCV. Risk factors for not being UTD for the 1:3:3:3:1 immunization series were explored.Results: For each antigen, the UTD immunization rate was above 71%, but the age-appropriate immunization rates for BCG, HepB, OPV, DPT and MCV were only 47.8%, 45.1%, 47.1%, 46.8% and 37.2%, respectively. The 1st dose was most likely to be delayed within them. For the 1:3:3:3:1 immunization series, the UTD immunization rate and age-appropriate immunization rate were 64.9% and 12.4% respectively. Several factors as below were significantly associated with UTD immunization. The primary caregiver's determinants were their occupation, knowledge and attitude toward immunization. The child's determinants were sex, Hukou, birth place, residential buildings and family income.Conclusions: Alarmingly low immunization coverage of migrant children should be closely monitored by NIISS. Primary caregiver and child's determinants should be considered when taking measures. Strategies to strengthen active out-reach activities and health education for primary caregivers needed to be developed to improve their immunization coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to the environment and health. AMR rapidly invalidates conventional antibiotics, and antimicrobial nanomaterials have been increasingly explored as alternatives. Interestingly, several antimicrobial nanomaterials show AMR‐independent antimicrobial effects without detectable new resistance and have therefore been suggested to prevent AMR evolution. In contrast, some are found to trigger the evolution of AMR. Given these seemingly conflicting findings, a timely discussion of the two faces of antimicrobial nanomaterials is urgently needed. This review systematically compares the killing mechanisms and structure‐activity relationships of antibiotics and antimicrobial nanomaterials. We then focus on nano‐microbe interactions to elucidate the impacts of molecular initiating events on AMR evolution. Finally, we provide an outlook on future antimicrobial nanomaterials and propose design principles for the prevention of AMR evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to the environment and health. AMR rapidly invalidates conventional antibiotics, and antimicrobial nanomaterials have been increasingly explored as alternatives. Interestingly, several antimicrobial nanomaterials show AMR‐independent antimicrobial effects without detectable new resistance and have therefore been suggested to prevent AMR evolution. In contrast, some are found to trigger the evolution of AMR. Given these seemingly conflicting findings, a timely discussion of the two faces of antimicrobial nanomaterials is urgently needed. This review systematically compares the killing mechanisms and structure‐activity relationships of antibiotics and antimicrobial nanomaterials. We then focus on nano‐microbe interactions to elucidate the impacts of molecular initiating events on AMR evolution. Finally, we provide an outlook on future antimicrobial nanomaterials and propose design principles for the prevention of AMR evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate-galactosylated chitosan/polylysine (AGCP) microcapsules with excellent stability and high permeability were developed and employed in primary hepatocyte applications. The galactosylated chitosan (GC), synthesized via the covalent coupling of lactobionic acid (LA) with low molecular weight and water-soluble chitosan (CS), was ingeniously introduced into the core of alginate microcapsules by regulating the pH of gelling bath. The internal GC of the microcapsules simultaneously provided a large number of binding sites for the hepatocytes and further promoted the hepatocyte–matrix interactions via the recognition of asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) on the hepatocyte surface, and afforded the AGCP microcapsules an excellent stability via the electrostatic interactions with alginate. As a consequence, primary hepatocytes in AGCP microcapsules demonstrated enhanced viability, urea synthesis, albumin secretion, and P-450 enzyme activity, showing great prospects for hepatocyte applications in microcapsule system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of simultaneous administration of the enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine with the measles and rubella (MR) combined vaccine. In this phase 4, randomized, open-label and noninferiority study, a total of 680 infants aged 8 months were enrolled and assigned to the simultaneous administration group (infants received the first dose of EV71 vaccine and MR vaccine on Day 0, and the second dose of EV71 vaccine on Day 28), or the separate administration groups (EV71 group: infants received two doses of EV71 vaccine on Day 0 and Day 28, respectively; MR group: infants received MR vaccine on Day 0). Blood sample was obtained on Day 0 and Day 56 to measure antibody responses to each of the antigens in terms of antibody titer or concentration, respectively. Local and systemic adverse reactions (ARs) and other adverse events (AEs) following each dose were monitored and compared among groups. After vaccination, simultaneous administration group showed similar seroconversion rates of antibody against EV71(97.9%), measles (97.4%), and rubella (94.3%) compared to EV71 group (99.6% for anti-EV71) or MR group (98.4% for anti-measles and 98.9% for anti-rubella, respectively). Noninferiority was demonstrated for all antibodies as the lower limits of two-sided 97.5% confidence intervals (CIs) of the difference in seroconversion rates between simultaneous administration group and separate administration groups were above the predefined margin of −10%. Additionally, the adverse reaction rates were comparable among groups (54.4% in the simultaneous group versus 43.9% in the MR group versus 52.6% in the EV71 group). Antibody responses induced by simultaneous administration of EV71 vaccine with MR vaccine were robust and noninferior to those by single administration alone. Like the previous findings by single administration alone, simultaneous administration demonstrated comparable reactogenicity and safety profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrapped low density cells with culture (ELDC wc ) have been proved as a more effective way than direct entrapped high density cells ( d EHDC) and free cells to protect probiotics from harsh environment, that is, to improve their stress resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bacterial quorum sensing (QS) facilitated the stress resistance of Escherichia coli in microcapsules by detecting the expression of luxS /AI-2 system. As a result, both the expression of luxS gene and the concentration of autoinducer-2 (AI-2, QS signal molecule) have been discovered higher in ELDC wc than in d EHDC and free cells. Besides that, the luxS mutant E. coli strain was used as a negative control of QS to verify the influence of QS on bacterial stress resistance in microcapsules. The significantly decreased viability of luxS mutant strain in simulated gastric fluid also indicated that the QS played a critical role in protecting microorganisms from severe environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protein repelled alginate-graft-BAT/chitosan/MPEG-norbornene (ABCPN) hydrogel microcapsules were achieved by copper-free click reaction between azides from BAT and alkylenes from norbornene. The MPEG modified polyelectrolyte microcapsules showed significant resistance to immune protein adsorption and good biocompatibility in vivo. Moreover, the mild reaction condition made it feasible that the microcapsules could be formed and modifiedin situeven when live cells were encapsulated, and precluded the damage cause by other violent modifications methods to transplanted cells or tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Apoptosis dysregulation is an important mechanism responsible for the intrinsic and acquired resistance of melanoma, which necessitates the exploration of oncological treatments to activate nonapoptotic cell death. Herein, we developed nano-enabled photosynthesis in tumours to activate lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis to overcome melanoma resistance. Controlled photosynthesis was conducted in tumours to construct a hyperoxic microenvironment with photosynthetic microcapsules (PMCs), which were prepared by encapsulating cyanobacteria and upconversion nanoparticles in alginate microcapsules and driven by external near infrared photons. The combination of PMCs and X-rays evoked lipid peroxidation, Fe2+ release, glutathione peroxidase 4 suppression, glutathione reduction and ferroptosis in melanoma cells and xenografts. Consequently, the intrinsic and acquired resistance in melanoma could be overcome by the combined treatment, which further inhibited tumour metastases and improved the survival rate of melanoma-bearing mice. Overall, the development of nano-enabled photosynthesis in tumours will inspire the exploration of oncological treatments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To gain insight into the comparative function in stress response of HSPs in insects, three HSP cDNAs were cloned from the fat body of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). SexHSP70, SexHSP74 and SexHSP83 cDNAs encoding the protein of 667, 685 and 717 amino acids, with the pI of 5.52, 5.75 and 5.02, respectively. Northern blotting revealed that all three SexHSP mRNAs are expressed in the fat body, mid-gut, spermary and tracheae. SexHSP70, SexHSP74and SexHSP83 mRNAs were expressed in the fat body and whole body at different levels during different developmental stages. The three SexHSP transcripts were highly expressed in the fat body on the first day of fifth instar larvae, on the fourth and seventh days of the pupa stage, and in the whole body on the initial stages of larvae. Under heat and cold shock conditions, SexHSP70 and SexHSP83 mainly functioned during heat shock and cooling and SexHSP83 also had a function in the recovery stage. SexHSP74 had important functions in short-term heat shock and recovery, as well as long-term cooling. The results revealed that long-term shocking can affect SexHSP74 and SexHSP83 expression and long-term cooling can influence SexHSP83 expression during the recovery stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Keywords: biocatalysts; density functional calculations; hydrogen evolution; nanozymes; structure-activity relationship EN biocatalysts density functional calculations hydrogen evolution nanozymes structure-activity relationship 11021 11021 1 05/06/21 20210510 NES 210510 The authors would like to draw attention to an error in Figure 2 A of this Research Article. Ultrafiltration membrane was used to separate SnSe nanosheets and LDH at each cycle of LA dehydrogenation reaction by LDH assay kit containing 20 mm LA and 50 mg mL-1 NAD+. Biocatalysts, density functional calculations, hydrogen evolution, nanozymes, structure-activity relationship. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Biokatalyse; DFT-Rechnungen; Wasserstoffentwicklung; Nanozyme; Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen EN Biokatalyse DFT-Rechnungen Wasserstoffentwicklung Nanozyme Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehungen 11120 11120 1 05/06/21 20210510 NES 210510 The authors would like to draw attention to an error in Figure 2 A of this Research Article. In contrast, LDH loses 86.2 % activity in the second cycle and displays >99 % inactivation at the B fourth b cycle." Ultrafiltration membrane was used to separate SnSe nanosheets and LDH at each cycle of LA dehydrogenation reaction by LDH assay kit containing 20 mm LA and 50 mg mL-1 NAD+. [Extracted from the article]

Objective. To examine whether comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects the clinical and hematological parameters of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods. We retrospectively investigated the clinical, imaging, and laboratory characteristics of patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized from January 30, 2020 to March 17, 2020, at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. A detailed clinical record was kept for each subject, including the medical history of COVID-19 and physical and laboratory examinations. A total of 164 subjects were eligible for the study, among which 40 patients were comorbid with T2D. Further analysis was conducted in two subcohorts of sex- and age-matched patients with and without T2D to identify hematological and biochemical differences. The laboratory tests, including routine blood tests, serum biochemistry, and coagulation function, were performed upon admission. Results. The two groups showed no significant differences in baseline parameters, including age, sex, chest X-ray, or computed tomography (CT) findings, upon admission. However, patients with T2D showed an increased incidence of diarrhea. T2D patients required more recovery time from pneumonia, as shown by follow-up CT findings, which might contribute to the prolonged hospitalization. Comorbidity with T2D also increased risk of secondary bacterial infection during COVID-19. The T2D group had significantly higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts compared with the nondiabetic group, but T2D patients suffered from more severe lymphocytopenia and inflammation (P < 0.05). Most biochemical parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, patients with T2D seemed to have a significantly higher risk of developing hyperlactatemia, hyponatremia, and hypocalcemia. Conclusions. COVID-19 patients comorbid with T2D demonstrated distinguishing clinical features and hematological parameters during the infection. It is necessary to develop a different clinical severity scoring system for COVID-19 patients with T2D. This study may provide helpful clues for the assessment and management of COVID-19 in T2D patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of NIR‐II emitters for gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging remains challenging due to fluorescence quenching in the digestive microenvironment. Herein, we report that red‐shifting of the fluorescence emission of Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) into NIR‐II region with improved quantum yields (QY) could be achieved by engineering a protein corona structure consisting of a ribonuclease‐A (RNase‐A) on the particle surfaces. RNase‐A‐encapsulated AuNCs (RNase‐A@AuNCs) displayed emissions at 1050 nm with a 1.9 % QY. Compared to rare earth and silver‐based NIR‐II emitters, RNase‐A@AuNCs had excellent biocompatibility, showing >50‐fold higher sensitivity in GI tract, and migrated homogenously during gastrointestinal peristalsis to allow visualization of the detailed structures of the GI tract. RNase‐A@AuNCs could successfully examine intestinal tumor mice from healthy mice, indicating a potential utility for early diagnosis of intestinal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of NIR‐II emitters for gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging remains challenging due to fluorescence quenching in the digestive microenvironment. Herein, we report that red‐shifting of the fluorescence emission of Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) into NIR‐II region with improved quantum yields (QY) could be achieved by engineering a protein corona structure consisting of a ribonuclease‐A (RNase‐A) on the particle surfaces. RNase‐A‐encapsulated AuNCs (RNase‐A@AuNCs) displayed emissions at 1050 nm with a 1.9 % QY. Compared to rare earth and silver‐based NIR‐II emitters, RNase‐A@AuNCs had excellent biocompatibility, showing >50‐fold higher sensitivity in GI tract, and migrated homogenously during gastrointestinal peristalsis to allow visualization of the detailed structures of the GI tract. RNase‐A@AuNCs could successfully examine intestinal tumor mice from healthy mice, indicating a potential utility for early diagnosis of intestinal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has threatened every civilian as a global pandemic. The immune system poses the critical interactive chain between the human body and the virus. Here, we make efforts to examine whether comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects the immunological response in COVID-19 patients. Methods. We conducted a retrospective pilot study investigating immunological characteristics of confirmed cases of COVID-19 with or without comorbid T2D. Two subcohorts of sex- and age-matched participants were eligible for data analysis, of which 33 participants were with T2D and the remaining 37 were nondiabetic (NDM). Cellular immunity was assessed by flow cytometric determination of surface markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16, and CD56 in peripheral blood. Levels of C reactive protein, immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE), and complements (C3, C4) were detected by rate nephelometry immunoassay. And Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) were detected by Cytometric Bead Array. Results. Neutrophil counts were found to be significantly higher in the T2D group than in the NDM group and had a significant relevance with clinical severity. Lymphocyte frequencies showed no significant differences in the two groups. However, the proportions and absolute counts of T, Tc, Th, and NK cells decreased in both groups to different degrees. An abnormal increase in neutrophil count and a decrease in lymphocyte subpopulations may represent risk factors of COVID-19 severity. The level of IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C4 showed no significant difference between the two groups, while the IgE levels were higher in the T2D group than in the NDM group (p < 0.05). Th1 cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as CRP, appeared significantly higher in the T2D group. Conclusions. The COVID-19 patients comorbid with T2D demonstrated distinguishable immunological parameters, which represented clinical relevancies with the predisposed disease severity in T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of NIR‐II emitters for gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging remains challenging due to fluorescence quenching in the digestive microenvironment. Herein, we report that red‐shifting of the fluorescence emission of Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) into NIR‐II region with improved quantum yields (QY) could be achieved by engineering a protein corona structure consisting of a ribonuclease‐A (RNase‐A) on the particle surfaces. RNase‐A‐encapsulated AuNCs (RNase‐A@AuNCs) displayed emissions at 1050 nm with a 1.9 % QY. Compared to rare earth and silver‐based NIR‐II emitters, RNase‐A@AuNCs had excellent biocompatibility, showing >50‐fold higher sensitivity in GI tract, and migrated homogenously during gastrointestinal peristalsis to allow visualization of the detailed structures of the GI tract. RNase‐A@AuNCs could successfully examine intestinal tumor mice from healthy mice, indicating a potential utility for early diagnosis of intestinal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. More and more studies focus on the relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiome and type 2 diabetes, but few of them have actually explored the relationship between enterotypes and type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods. We enrolled 134 patients with type 2 diabetes and 37 nondiabetic controls. The anthropometric and clinical indices of each subject were measured. Fecal samples of each subject were also collected and were processed for 16S rDNA sequencing. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations of enterotypes with type 2 diabetes. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between lipopolysaccharide levels and insulin sensitivity after adjusting for age, BMI, TG, HDL-C, DAO, and TNF-α. The correlation analysis between factors and microbiota was identified using Spearman correlation analysis. The correlation analysis between factors was identified using partial correlation analysis. Results. Gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes group exhibited lower bacterial diversity compared with nondiabetic controls. The fecal communities from all subjects clustered into two enterotypes distinguished by the levels of Bacteroides and Prevotella. Logistic regression analysis showed that the Bacteroides enterotype was an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes by decreasing insulin sensitivity. The levels of lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were higher in the Bacteroides enterotype compared to the Prevotella enterotype. Partial correlation analysis showed that lipopolysaccharide was closely associated with diamine oxidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and Gutt insulin sensitivity index after adjusting for multiple covariates. Furthermore, the level of lipopolysaccharide was found to be an independent risk factor for insulin sensitivity. Conclusions. We identified two enterotypes, Bacteroides and Prevotella, among all subjects. Our results showed that the Bacteroides enterotype was an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, which was due to increased levels of lipopolysaccharide causing decreased insulin sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We investigated whether infections in migrants were related to the epidemic resurgence of measles in 2013–2014. • Infections in migrants were not significantly associated with the resurgence in 2013–2014. • Instead, the resurgence was likely attributable to infants aged <8 months and the unvaccinated. • Officials are thus advised to give higher priority to appropriate populations when formulating control measures. The 2009 province-wide and 2010 nationwide supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) greatly reduced measles prevalence in Guangdong, a province in southern China with the largest migrant population. However, during 2013–2014, Guangdong experienced a resurgence of the measles epidemic. This study was performed to examine the association between infections in migrants and the resurgence of the measles epidemic. The records of 22 362 clinically and laboratory-confirmed measles cases from the years 2009 to 2014 were extracted from the National Infectious Disease Monitoring Information System. The epidemiological characteristics of infections in migrants during 2009–2012 were compared to those during 2013–2014. Infections in migrants were not significantly associated with the resurgence of the measles epidemic in 2013–2014 (p = 0.98). Nevertheless, for infections among locals and migrants during 2009–2012 and 2013–2014, substantial increases in the proportion of infection were detected among children aged <8 months and the unvaccinated population (p < 0.01). The study findings suggest that infections in migrants might not have been the major cause of the epidemic resurgence of measles. Instead, the resurgence was likely due to infections among children aged <8 months and the unvaccinated. Thus, officials are advised to give higher priority to appropriate populations when formulating control measures, and to strengthen routine surveillance of vaccination coverage among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that the immunogenicity and safety of the simultaneous administration of enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine (dose 1) with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) on day 1 and EV71 vaccine (dose 2) with group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MenA) on day 30 is not inferior to separate administration of each vaccine.Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial. A total of 775 healthy infants aged 6 months were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1 to receive simultaneous administration of EV71 vaccine (dose 1) and HepB on day 1 and EV71 vaccine (dose 2) and MenA on day 30 (the SI group); administration of doses 1 and 2 of EV71 vaccine on days 1 and 30, respectively (the SE1 group); or administration of HepB and MenA on days 1 and 30, respectively (the SE2 group).Results: According to the per protocol set, antibody responses against EV71, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and group A meningococcal polysaccharide were similar regardless of administration schedule. With the non-inferiority margin setting at 10%, the seroconversion rates of the three pathogens in the SI group (100% [98.25, 100], 44.84% [38.20, 51.63] and 27.83% [21.91, 34.38]) were not inferior to those in SE1 or SE2 group (100% [98.31, 100], 44.35% [37.82, 51.02] and 29.17% [23.20, 35.72], respectively). Frequencies of adverse reactions to each vaccination regimen were comparable (60.62% in the SI group vs 52.33% in the SE1 group and 56.98% in the SE2 group; P = .16).Conclusions: Simultaneous administration of combined EV71 vaccine with HepB and MenA has noninferior immunogenicity and safety, compared with separate administration of these vaccines.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT03274102. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: To investigate the correlation between snoring and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and explore whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) plays an important role in this relationship among middle‐aged and elderly Chinese. Materials and Methods: The participants included in the present study were categorized into three subgroups based on self‐reported snoring frequency (regularly [≥3 times per week], occasionally [between 'regularly' and 'never'] or never [<1 time per month]). An estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was considered as CKD. We diagnosed MetS based on the 2004 Chinese Diabetes Society criteria. We explored the relationship between snoring and CKD by using multiple logistic regressions. Results: The frequency of MetS, MetS components and CKD was dramatically higher in regular snorers than in non‐snorers and occasional snorers. The odds ratios for MetS and all the MetS elements, except for hyperglycemia, increased progressively with the snoring frequency (P < 0.001). Upon additional adjustment for other MetS components, snoring was not significantly related with hypertension; however, the associations between snoring frequency and overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia became attenuated, but still remained statistically significant (P < 0.01). Interestingly, odds ratios for CKD also increasingly augmented with snoring frequency (P < 0.001). Upon further adjustment for individual MetS components or MetS, regular snoring also resulted in a significantly increased odds ratio for CKD (odds ratio 1.72; P = 0.034) relative to non‐snoring. Conclusions: Self‐reported snoring is closely associated with CKD independent of MetS among middle‐aged and elderly Chinese. Self‐reported snoring is closely associated with CKD independent of MetS in middle‐aged and elderly Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite several immunization efforts, China saw a resurgence of measles in 2012. Monitoring of transmissions of individuals from different age groups could offer information that would be valuable for planning adequate disease control strategies. We compared the age-specific effective reproductive numbers (R) of measles during 2009–2016 in Guangdong, China. Methods: We estimated the age-specific R values for 7 age groups: 0–8 months, 9–18 months, 19 months to 6 years, 7–15 years, 16–25 years, 26–45 years, and ≥46 years adapting the contact matrix of China. The daily numbers of laboratory and clinically confirmed cases reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong were used. Results: The peak R values of the entire population were above unity from 2012 to 2016, indicating the persistence of measles in the population. In general, children aged 0–6 years and adults aged 26–45 years had larger values of R when comparing with other age groups after 2012. While the peaks of R values for children aged 0–6 years dropped steadily after 2013, the peaks of R values for adults aged 26–45 years kept at a high range every year. Conclusions: Although the provincial supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) conducted in 2009 and 2010 were able to reduce the transmissions from 2009 to 2011, larger values of R for children aged 0–6 years were observed after 2012, indicating that the benefits of the SIAs were short-lived. In addition, the transmissions from adults aged between 26 and 45 years increased over time. Disease control strategies should target children and adult groups that carry high potential for measles transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective A cross-sectional community prevalence survey was conducted to investigate the sero-epidemiological features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among children aged 1–14 years in Guangdong Province in 2013, and to provide baseline data for the evaluation of HBV disease burden and the impacts of HBV control. Methods A total of 2765 children aged 1–14 years from 16 villages/streets of eight cities in Guangdong Province were recruited as subjects. A blood sample was obtained from each subject. A chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) was used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb). Results The prevalence rates of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb among children aged 1–14 years were 1.16%, 61.63%, and 2.35%, respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb increased with increasing age, and the prevalence was lowest in the 1–4 years age group (0.97% for HBsAg and 1.45% for HBcAb). In contrast, the prevalence of HBsAb decreased with increasing age; however the prevalence was also highest in the 1–4 years age group (76.48%). Eastern Guangdong had the highest prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb, and the lowest prevalence of HBsAb. The prevalence of HBsAg was under 1% in the Pearl River Delta and western Guangdong regions. Children who had received three or more doses of vaccine had a lower prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb and a higher prevalence of HBsAb compared to those who had received fewer than three doses of vaccine. Conclusions The prevalence of HBsAg among children aged 1–14 years in Guangdong in 2013 was 1.2%, showing a dramatic decrease compared to the 1992 provincial-level cross-sectional survey (19.9%). Children aged 1–4 years and children from the Pearl River Delta had the lowest prevalence of HBsAg positivity. High vaccination coverage among children and timely vaccination of newborns has played an important role in reducing the prevalence of HBsAg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galactose moieties are covalently coupled with sodium alginate to enhance liver-specific functions in microcapsules owing to the specific interaction between the galactose moieties and the asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) of hepatocytes. In this study, galactosylated alginate (L-NH 2 -OH-alginate) based microcapsules with desirable stability and a suitable 3D microenvironment are designed and fabricated for primary hepatocyte applications. The designed L-NH 2 -OH-alginate is fabricated via the application of ethylenediamine grafted lactobionic acid (L-NH 2 ) onto the hydroxyl groups of sodium alginate so that the negatively charged carboxyl groups intact in L-NH 2 -OH-alginate can effectively bond with Ca 2+ to form a stable three-dimensional gel network; a subsequent reaction with polycations forms a stable membrane of microcapsules. As a result, L-NH 2 -OH-alginate based microcapsules exhibit an excellent mechanical stability. Moreover, with a higher degree of substitution in L-NH 2 -OH-alginate (DS 0.41), the hepatocytes entrapped in L-NH 2 -OH-alginate microcapsules exhibit better viability and well-maintained liver-specific functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a strategy to synthesize self-healing hydrogels via exploiting endothermic interactions between polyelectrolytes. Natural polysaccharides and their derivatives were used to form reversible polyelectrolyte complexes by selecting appropriately charged chemical groups and counterions. This simple and effective method to fabricate self-healing hydrogels will find applications in diverse fields such as surface coating and 3D printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, is a rapidly reproducing pest of numerous agricultural ecosystems worldwide. The use of pesticides remains the primary means for controlling S. litura, despite their negative ecological impact and potential threat to human health. The use of exogenous hormone analogs may represent an alternative to insecticides. Juvenile hormones (JHs) play an important role in the reproductive systems of female insects, but the effects of pyriproxyfen, a JH analog, on reproduction in S. litura were poorly understood. In this paper, we topically treated the newly emerged females with 20, 60, or 100 μg of pyriproxyfen to determine its effects on reproduction. Then, we examined the expression of vitellogenin (Vg) and three hormone receptors, USP, HR3, and EcR, using quantitative reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and found that pyriproxyfen up-regulated the expression of Vg, USP, and HR3, whereas the expression of EcR was unaffected. An analysis of fecundity showed that the peak oviposition day, lifespan, and oviposition period were progressively shortened as the pyriproxyfen dosage increased. We also found that pyriproxyfen decreased egg laying amount, whereas the number of mature eggs that remained in the ovarioles of dead females increased as the pyriproxyfen dosage increased. We examined oocytes using transmission electron microscopy and found that treatment with 100 μg of pyriproxyfen increased the metabolism by increasing the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the primary oocytes. Our results suggest that the topical application of pyriproxyfen on newly emerged females can efficiently reduce reproduction in S. litura and may represent an alternative to the use of insecticides for controlling the agricultural pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background WHO recommends the use of rubella-containing vaccine (RCVs) to prevent rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Most licensed rubella vaccines in use globally are based on RA27/3 strains and have estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) rates of 95–100%. In contrast, China uses a BRD-II strain-based rubella vaccine. Few field studies have been conducted that estimate VE of China's RCV. On March 17, 2014, a rubella outbreak was reported in a middle school in Guangzhou city, China. We conducted an investigation to understand reasons for the outbreak, and we used that investigation to estimate vaccine effectiveness of China's rubella vaccine. Methods To identify cases, investigators reviewed records kept by the school doctor and absentee records kept by teachers. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to parents of all students to collect information about the students’ symptoms, the results of any physician consultation, and disease history. We obtained demographic information and illness information for all students in the school; vaccination status was determined by inspection of official, parent-held vaccination records. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 13 classes that had secondary cases of rubella. Using the secondary attack rates, we evaluated VE by the number of RCV doses received and age at vaccination. Results During the period February 17–May 23, 2014, 162 students (50 suspected cases, 88 probable cases, 24 confirmed cases) were diagnosed with rubella, yielding an overall attack rate of 10% (162/1621). Cases occurred in 27 classes (73%) of 37 classrooms. Secondary cases occurred in 13 classes (35%) of 37 classrooms. A total of 1130 students (69.7%) have vaccination certificates; 419 (37%) students were record-confirmed to have received RCV. For those vaccinated using BRD-II strain vaccine, vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 94% (95%CI: 75–98). VE for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is based on either BRD-II or RA27/3 strain was 89% (95%CI: 56–97). VE of a single dose of domestic monovalent rubella vaccine that used BRD-II strain vaccine was 93% (95%CI: 73–98). VE for those who received the vaccine between 1 and 2 years of age was 95% (95% CI: 67–99) while the VE was 100% for those vaccinated after 2 years of age. VE among those who received RCV <12 years ago was 100% while VE among those who received RCV ≥12 years ago was 92% (95%CI: 70–98). Conclusions The rubella vaccines used in China that are based on the BRD-II rubella vaccine strain have VE of 94%, which is similar to the more commonly used RA27/3-based RCVs. Low vaccination coverage contributed to this outbreak; early reporting of an outbreak is necessary for effective outbreak response immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: C-peptide has been reported to be a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, whereas its role in coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been clarified, especially in diabetics with differing body mass indices (BMIs). Design and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 501 patients with T2DM. First, all subjects were divided into the following two groups: CAD and non-CAD. Then, binary logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for CAD for all patients. To clarify the role of obesity, we re-divided all subjects into two additional groups (obese and non-obese) based on BMI. Finally, binary logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for CAD for each weight group. Results: The patients with CAD showed a higher BMI and fasting C-peptide level in addition to an increased prevalence of traditional risk factors for CAD, such as hypertension, insulin resistance, higher cholesterol, cysteine-C (Cys-C) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Logistic regression analysis showed that fasting C-peptide (OR=1.513, p=0.005), insulin treatment (OR=1.832, p=0.027) hypertension (OR=1.987, p=0.016) and hyperlipidemia (OR=4.159, p<0.001) significantly increased the risk of clinical CAD in the T2DM patients independent of age, gender, diabetes duration, smoking and alcohol statuses, fasting insulin and glucose, hypoglycemic episodes, UA and eGFR. Additionally, in both of the obese (OR=1.488, p=0.049) and non-obese (OR=1.686, p=0.037) DM groups, C-peptide was associated with an increased risk of CAD after multiple adjustments. Conclusions: C-peptide is associated with an increased CAD risk in T2DM patients, no matter whether they are obese or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between lipid profiles [including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and a mild decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in subjects with normal serum lipid levels. Design and Methods: In this study, we included 2647 participants who were ≥40 years old and had normal serum lipid levels. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was used to estimate the GFR. A mildly reduced eGFR was defined as 60–90 mL/min/1.73 m2. First, multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association of lipid profiles with the eGFR. Then, the levels of each lipid component were divided into four groups, using the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as cut-off points. Finally, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of different lipid components with the risk of mildly reduced eGFR. Results: In the group with a mildly reduced eGFR, TG and LDL-C levels were significantly increased, but HDL-C levels were significantly decreased. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), smoking and drinking, only TC and TG were independently related to the eGFR. Additionally, only TG showed a linear relationship with an increased risk of a mildly reduced eGFR, with the highest quartile group (TG: 108–150 mg/dl [1.22–1.70 mmol/L]) having a significantly increased risk after adjusting for the above factors. Conclusions: Triglyceride levels are closely associated with a mildly reduced eGFR in subjects with normal serum lipid levels. Dyslipidemia with lower TG levels could be used as new diagnostic criteria for subjects with mildly reduced renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We reviewed adverse events of live attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine. [•] The adverse event rate was 61.24 per million doses. [•] Most adverse events are relatively mild, with relatively rare neurologic events. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exploration of medical radiation countermeasures (MRCs) has great implications in protection of mammals from radiation damages. While flagellin has been recently reported to show radioprotective effects, the relationships between flagellin structure and radioprotective activity are rarely explored. Herein, we deliberately edited the amino acid sequence of flagellin in its binding domain with toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) for exploration of potent flagellin derivatives (Fds). An in vitro screening paradigm was developed to examine the radioprotective effects of six engineered Fds. Notably, mutation of 103 threonine on flagellin into asparagine resulted in a potent MRC candidate (Fd-T103N) displaying 1.28-fold increment of interactions with TLR5. Fd-T103N was able to further activate NF-κB pathway, induce immune protective cytokine (e.g. G-CSF) release, and significantly ameliorate γ-irradiation induced cell death. The protection effects of Fd-T103N were further validated in mice exposed to 10 Gy γ-irradiations. Compared to parent flagellin, Fd-T103N treatment showed higher G-CSF release in mouse blood, lower intestine damages, and 13% increments of mouse survival rates. In short, the established predictive paradigm could greatly reduce the labor-, time- and animal-costs in exploration of MRC candidates. Fd-T103N is a promising candidate of investigational new drug for radioprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stems of Dendrobium loddigesii, a Chinese herb, are often used to treat diabetes and its polar extract is rich in shihunine, a water-soluble Orchidaceae alkaloid, but little is known about the anti-diabetes effects and mechanism of shihunine. This study investigated the anti-diabetic effect of a shihunine-rich extract of D. loddigesii (DLS) based on 3T3-L1 cells and db/db mice. The underlying mechanisms were primarily explored using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. The 3T3-L1 cell experiments showed that DLS can reduce the intracellular accumulation of oil droplets as well as triglycerides (p < 0.001) and promote the 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake of 3T3-L1 cells (p < 0.001). The animal experiments confirmed that after 8 weeks of DLS treatment, the body weight, fasting blood sugar, and serum lipid levels of mice were significantly lowered, and the oral glucose tolerance test and serum insulin level were significantly improved compared to the no-treatment diabetes mellitus group. Further histomorphology observation led to the conclusion that the quantities of islet cells were significantly increased and the increase in adipose cell size was significantly suppressed. The immunohistochemical test of pancreatic tissue revealed that DLS inhibited the expression of cleaved cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease 3 (cleaved caspase-3). Western blot experiments showed that DLS had agonistic effects on adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (p-AMPK) and increased the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in liver or adipose tissues. These data suggest that the shihunine-rich extract of D. loddigesii is an anti-diabetic fraction of D. loddigesii. Under our experimental condition, DLS at a dose of 50 mg/kg has good anti-diabetic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]