A photo-switchable and thermal-enhanced fluorescent hydrogel prepared from N-isopropylacrylamide with water-soluble spiropyran derivative

Herein, a photo-switchable and thermal-enhanced fluorescent hydrogel has been fabricated from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) with a mixture of water-soluble acryloyl-α-cyclodextrin/acryloyl-α-cyclodextrin-spiropyran (acryloyl-α-CD/ acryloyl-α-CD-SP) as cross-linkers. The physical properties, photochromic properties, and fluorescent behavior of the hydrogel were characterized. The fluorescence emission of the hydrogel can be reversibly switched ‘on/off’ by UV/visible light irradiation, and meanwhile the fluorescence intensity can be enhanced by increasing the temperature above the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the hydrogel. The hydrogel also shows spatiotemporal fluorescent behavior, excellent cytocompatibility, and fatigue resistance in photochromic and photo-switchable fluorescent behaviors.     

AKT1负性调控乳腺癌细胞迁移的机制研究

目的:明确AKT1负性调控乳腺癌细胞迁移的分子机制,为乳腺癌转移的防治提供新思路和新靶点。方法:以乳腺癌MCF-7细胞和MDA-MB-231细胞为研究对象,采用RNA干扰技术敲减AKT1的表达,Western blot检测AKT1总蛋白、β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)总蛋白和核蛋白的表达,免疫荧光检测β-catenin在乳腺癌细胞中的定位,Transwell迁移实验探究β-catenin的核转位是否参与AKT1负性调控乳腺癌细胞迁移的过程。结果:敲减AKT1表达后,β-catenin总蛋白与核蛋白的表达明显上调,乳腺癌MCF-7细胞和MDA-MB-231细胞的迁移能力也明显增强,使用XAV-939抑制β-catenin的核移位后,敲减AKT1表达引起的乳腺癌细胞迁移能力的增强也明显下降。结论:AKT1对乳腺癌细胞迁移的负性调控可能是由β-catenin核转位介导的。     

右美托咪定减轻失血性休克/复苏大鼠急性肾损伤

目的:研究右美托咪定对失血性休克/复苏(HS/R)大鼠急性肾损伤的影响。方法:健康雄性Wistar大鼠32只,随机分为4组:生理盐水对照组(NS组)、右美托咪定组(D组)、HS/R组和HS/R+D组。容量复苏后6 h处死动物,采集血和肾组织标本。检测各组血清中肌酐和尿素氮的浓度;检测各组大鼠肾组织中丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)含量和白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)含量;Western blot法检测肾组织血红素加氧酶1(HO-1)和核因子κB(NF-κB)的表达;HE染色观察肾组织病理学改变。结果:与NS组比较,HS/R组MDA含量升高,SOD活性降低(P0.05);与HS/R组比较,HS/R+D组MDA含量降低,SOD活性升高(P0.05)。与NS组比较,HS/R组TNF-α和IL-1β含量升高(P0.05);与HS/R组比较,HS/R+D组TNF-α和IL-1β含量降低(P0.05)。与NS组比较,HS/R组肾组织NF-κB表达升高;与HS组比较,HS/R+D组肾组织NF-κB表达降低(P0.05)。与NS组比较,HS/R组肾组织HO-1表达升高;与HS/R组比较,HS/R+D组HO-1表达进一步升高(P0.05)。肾组织病理学检查可见,右美托咪定治疗可明显减轻肾细胞变性、坏死及炎性细胞浸润程度。结论:右美托咪定可减轻HS/R大鼠急性肾损伤,其作用机制可能与上调HO-1表达及抑制NF-κB表达有关。     

C-reactive protein levels can predict positive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings that lead to management changes in patients with bacteremia

Background/purpose

Bacteremia portends high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) imaging has clinical value in assessing fever of unknown origin, its usefulness in bacteremia has not been entirely elucidated. We therefore designed the current single-center retrospective study to investigate 1) the clinical value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging in assessing bacteremia and 2) the association between laboratory data and imaging findings.

Detection of Gallibacterium anatis by TaqMan fluorescent quantitative PCR

To better understand the prevalence of Gallibacterium anatis in different poultry species, a rapid and accurate method was developed to detect G. anatis using a TaqMan fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Specific primers and a TaqMan probe were designed based on the reference gtxA gene sequence. The qPCR standard curve showed a good linear relationship, and the method showed good reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity, indicating its suitability for G. anatis identification and quantitative analysis. A comparison of the detection results in 160 clinical swab samples showed that the detection rate (54.4%) of the qPCR for G. anatis was better than that of two conventional methods: gyrB gene-based qPCR for G. anatis (51.9%) and culture-based identification (34.4%). G. anatis was detected in layer chicken (77.3%), Silkie chicken (72.7%), and duck (27.1%) with relatively high detection rates, whereas dove (8.8%) and quail (3.0%) showed lower detection rates, indicating the different prevalence of G. anatis in different fowl species.     

Pre-transplant Screening for Non-HLA Antibodies: Who should be Tested?

Retrospective studies of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1R-Ab) and anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have linked these antibodies to allograft injury. Because rising healthcare costs dictate judicious use of laboratory testing, we sought to define characteristics of kidney transplant recipients who may benefit from screening for non-HLA antibodies. Kidney recipients transplanted between 2011 and 2016 at Johns Hopkins, were evaluated for AT1R-Ab and AECA. Pre-transplant antibody levels were compared to clinical and biopsy indications of graft dysfunction. Biopsies were graded using the Banff' 2009–2013 criteria. AT1R-Ab and AECA were detected using ELISA and endothelial cell crossmatches, respectively. AT1R-Ab levels were higher in patients who were positive for AECAs. Re-transplanted patients (p?<?0.0001), males (p?=?0.008) and those with FSGS (p?=?0.04) and younger (p?=?0.04) at time of transplantation were more likely to be positive for AT1R-Ab prior to transplantation. Recipients who were positive for AT1R-Ab prior to transplantation had increases in serum creatinine within 3?months post-transplantation (p?<?0.0001) and developed abnormal biopsies earlier than did AT1R-Ab negative patients (126?days versus 368?days respectively; p?=?0.02). Defining a clinical protocol to identify and preemptively treat patients at risk for acute rejection with detectable non-HLA antibodies is an important objective for the transplant community.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase conjugated with a novel transdermal delivery peptide,astrotactin 1–derived peptide recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase (AP-rPTP), alleviates both atopic dermatitis–like and psoriasis-like dermatitis

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