Modulation of gut microbiota to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy

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Metam sodium exposure during pregnancy and lactation in mice caused behavioral abnormalities and oxidative stress in offspring

Metam sodium (MS) is a widespread biocide with a broad-spectrum activity. Here, we addressed the behavioral impact of MS by exposing female mice to 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of MS during both pregnancy and lactation, and evaluated the oxidative stress as a potential mechanism of MS-induced neurotoxicity. The results showed that MS affected fertility and reproduction parameters as well as some aspects of maternal behavior, especially at high doses. In offspring, MS caused a significant delay in the ontogeny of sensorimotor functions. In addition, treated mice exhibited during adulthood an increase of anxiety-like, depression-like behaviors as well as learning and memory impairment. These alterations were accompanied by an increase of the superoxide dismutase activity, and a significant decreased catalase and malondialdehyde activities in specific brain areas. The present work revealed that early exposure to MS induced sensorimotor and behavioral impairments in offspring likely associated with onset of oxidative stress.     

Evaluation of a granulated formula for the nerve root type and vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis: a multicenter,single-blind,randomized, controlled,phase III clinical trial

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cervical spondylosis formula granules in reducing the symptoms of patients with the nerve root type and the vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS分析孟河医派特色猪心血丹参炮制前后化学成分的变化

目的:分析猪心血丹参炮制前后的化学成分变化情况,为深入阐明该饮片的炮制机制提供科学依据。方法:采用超高效液相色谱-四级杆-飞行时间质谱联用技术(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS),色谱条件为ACQUITY UPLC~ C_(18)色谱柱(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.7μm),流动相0.1%甲酸水溶液(A)-0.1%甲酸乙腈溶液(B)梯度洗脱(0~1 min,8%B;1~1.5 min,8%~20%B;1.5~4 min,20%B;4~5 min,20%~60%B;5~9 min,60%~70%B;9~10 min,70%~95%B;10~13 min,95%B),柱温40℃,流速0.3 m L·min~(-1);质谱分析使用电喷雾离子源(ESI),分别在正、负离子模式下扫描,扫描范围均为m/z 50~1 200,采用对照品比对、质谱数据、数据库匹配和文献参照对各离子峰进行归属,通过比较猪心血丹参炮制前后离子峰数目和峰面积,研究其化学成分变化。结果:猪心血丹参炮制前后共鉴别出59个成分,未发现有新的成分产生。猪心血炮制丹参后,共有25种化学成分峰面积发生显着变化,其中丹参水溶性成分原儿茶醛,丹酚酸C,F,G和脂溶性成分丹参醛,丹参二醇A,丹参酮Ⅰ和氨基酸类成分L-苯丙氨酸峰面积显著增高。结论:猪心血丹参炮制前后化学成分的含量变化显著,其中丹参部分水溶性、脂溶性和氨基酸类成分产生了量变,推测这可能与猪心血促进丹参治疗脑缺血的作用有关。     

Effects of a novel isoflavonoid from the stem bark of Alstonia scholaris against fructose-induced experimental cataract

ObjectiveThe present study investigated the anticataract activity of a novel isoflavonoid, isolated from stem bark of Alstonia scholaris, against fructose-induced experimental cataract.MethodsThe bioactivity of fractions extracted from A. scholaris, an isolated isoflavonoid (ASII) was screened using in vitro (goat lens) and in vivo (albino rats) experimental cataract models. For the in vivo evaluation, albino rats (12–15 weeks old) were divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I (normal) received 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose solution (10 mL/[kg·d], p.o.). Group II (control) received 10% (w/v) fructose solution in their drinking water. Groups III–V received ASII at three different doses, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/(kg·d), concurrently with 10% (w/v) fructose solution. Treatment was given daily for 8 consecutive weeks. During the protocol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose level and lenticular opacity were monitored at 2-week intervals. Pathophysiological markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde) in eye lenses were examined at the end of the 8-week treatment period.ResultsThe results of in vitro study showed that A. scholaris extract and the active fraction (A₃) reduced the lenticular opacity as compared to toxic control group. The in vivo study showed that 8-week administration of ASII (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/[kg·d], p.o.) led to significant reduction in blood pressure and blood glucose level and retarded the initiation and evolution of cataractogenesis, compared to the fructose-induced cataract model control. Additionally, ASII treatment led to significant improvement in lens antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) and decreased lens malondialdehyde, compared to the control group (group II).ConclusionResults revealed that administration of ASII played a crucial role in the reduction of cataract formation in diabetic and hypertensive models.     

Do heat shock proteins control the balance of T-cell regulation in inlammatory diseases?

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are remarkably immunogenic, despite their high degree of evolutionary conservation. Experimental and clinical observations on autoimmune diseases indicate that immune responses to Hsps arise spontaneously during the disease process. Based on current evidence, Willem van Eden and colleagues argue that such immunity to Hsps is part of a normal immunoregulatory T-cell response with disease controlling potential.     

Mechanical Properties of Aramid/Carbon Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

In this study, aramid fiber (Kevlar^® 29 fiber) and carbon fiber were added into concrete in a hybrid manner to enhance the static and impact mechanical properties. The coupling agent presence on the surface of carbon fibers was spotted in Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) graphs. The carbon fiber with a coupling agent affected the mechanical strength of the reinforced concrete. At 1% fiber/cement weight percentage, the hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC) prepared using Kevlar fiber and carbon fiber of 12 and 24 mm in length under different mix proportions was investigated to determine the maximum mechanical strengths. From the test results, the mechanical strength of the HFRC attained better performance than that of the concrete with only Kevlar or carbon fibers. Foremost, the mix proportion of Kevlar/carbon fiber (50–50%) significantly improved the compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths. Under different impact energies, the impact resistance of the HFRC specimen was much higher than that of the benchmark specimen, and the damage of the HFRC specimens was examined with an optical microscope to identify slippage or rupture failure of the fiber in concrete.