Caffeic Acid–coated Nanolayer on Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Potentiates the Host Immune Responses,Angiogenesis, and Odontogenesis

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate whether mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) can be modified with caffeic acid (CA) to form caffeic acid/mineral trioxide aggregate (CAMTA) cement and to evaluate its physicochemical and biological properties as well as its capability in immune suppression and angiogenesis.MethodsMTA was immersed in trishydroxymethyl aminomethane buffer with CA to allow coating onto MTA powders. X-ray diffractometry and tensile stress-strain tests were conducted to assess for physical characteristics of CAMTA and to evaluate for successful modification of MTA. Then, the CAMTA cement was immersed in simulated body fluid to evaluate its hydroxyapatite formation capabilities and Si release profiles. In addition, RAW 264.7 cells and human dental pulp stem cells were used to evaluate CAMTA’s immunosuppressive capabilities and cell responses, respectively. hDPSCs were also used to assess CAMTA’s angiogenic capabilities.ResultsThe X-ray diffractometry results showed that CA can be successfully coated onto MTA without disrupting or losing MTA’s original structural properties, thus allowing us to retain the initial advantages of MTA. CAMTA was shown to have higher mechanical properties compared with MTA and had rougher pitted surfaces, which were hypothesized to lead to enhanced adhesion, proliferation, and secretion of angiogenic- and odontogenic-related proteins. In addition, it was found that CAMTA was able to enhance hydroxyapatite formation and immunosuppressive capabilities compared with MTA.ConclusionsCAMTA cements were found to have improved physicochemical and biological characteristics compared with their counterpart. In addition, CAMTA cements had enhanced odontogenic, angiogenic, and immunosuppressive properties compared with MTA. All of the results of this study proved that CAMTA cements could be a biomaterial for future clinical applications and tissue engineering use.     

Vaccination inhibits the human adenoviral transduction in a mouse keratoconjunctivitis model

Adenovirus infections are a major cause of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which can lead to corneal subepithelial infiltrates and multifocal corneal opacity. In the current study, we investigated the use of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector as a vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) against subsequent challenges with a luciferase-expressing Ad5 (Ad5-Luci) vector via eyedrop. We evaluated the adaptive immune response to Ad5 vector vaccination and confirmed a robust polyfunctional CD8 T cell response in splenic cells. Neutralizing Ad5 antibodies were also measured in the sera of vaccinated mice as well as Ad5 antibody in the eye wash solutions. Upon challenge with Ad5-Luci vector 8 weeks post the primary immunization, transduction was significantly reduced by > 70% in the vaccinated mice, which was slightly better in IM- vs. that in IN-vaccinated animals. Resistance to subsequent challenge was observed 10 months post primary IM vaccination, with sustained reduction up to 60% in the Ad5-Luci vector transduction. Passive immunization of naive mice with antisera from IM to vaccinated mice subsequently challenged with the Ad5-Luci vector resulted in approximately 40% loss in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, the mice that received IM immunization with or without CD8 T cell depletion showed > 40% and 70% reductions, respectively, in Ad8 genomic copies after Ad8 topical challenge. We conclude that Ad-vector vaccination successfully induced an adaptive immune response that prevented subsequent Ad transduction in the cornea and conjunctiva-associated tissues in a mouse model of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis, and that both cellular and humoral immunity play an important role in preventing Ad transduction.     

外源性神经节苷脂相关性吉兰—巴雷综合征的发病机制及诊治研究进展

吉兰―巴雷综合征（GBS）是一种以快速进行性四肢麻木无力为特点的急性炎性脱髓鞘性多发性多神经根神经病。随着外源性神经节苷脂在临床的广泛应用，该药引起的副作用也逐渐显现，外源性神经节苷脂相关性GBS是其最严重的并发症，临床上主要表现为轴索型GBS，以四肢弛缓性瘫痪为首发症状，表现为急性、严重且快速进展的周围神经受累，较其他轴索型GBS病情重，恢复时间长，预后差。目前发病机制尚不明确。静脉注射人免疫球蛋白是其具有循证医学证据的治疗方法，目前已取代血浆置换成为GBS首选治疗方法，推荐剂量为0.4 g/（kg·d），连续静滴5 d，大剂量激素治疗的效果还有待进一步探讨。早发现、早诊断、尽早停用外源性神经节苷脂、及时应用人血免疫球蛋白冲击治疗和康复治疗，可改善预后。     

Ebola Virus RNA Stability in Human Blood and Urine in West Africa’s Environmental Conditions

We evaluated RNA stability of Ebola virus in EDTA blood and urine samples collected from infected patients and stored in West Africa’s environmental conditions. In blood, RNA was stable for at least 18 days when initial cycle threshold values were <30, but in urine, RNA degradation occurred more quickly.     

Determinants of anti-PD-1 response and resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

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人精子体外氧化损伤对线粒体tRNA~(LeuUUR)基因的影响

目的:探讨活性氧(ROS)对人类精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因的氧化损伤。方法:采用Percoll梯度离心法筛选具有正常生理功能的精子,作为正常精子模型,并分为损伤组20例和对照组20例,分别加入次黄嘌呤-黄嘌呤氧化酶体系或不予处理,37℃有氧环境中孵育60min。分别提取精子DNA,以Fpg酶切损伤碱基并采用接头介导PCR(LM-PCR)检测线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因的氧化损伤。采用Rhodamine(Rh123)荧光探针标记精子,通过流式细胞仪检测线粒体膜电位,观察精子的功能。结果:与对照组相比,损伤组精子孵育后线粒体膜电位明显降低[(116.27±11.72)%vs(64.00±4.88)%,P<0.05]。Fpg酶切和LM-PCR显示精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因损伤。结论:ROS可能通过对精子线粒体tRNALeuUUR基因氧化损伤而影响精子功能(线粒体膜电位明显降低),从而引起不育。     

Wild Edible Plants and Their Traditional Use in the Human Nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina

This article presents first systematical procedure results on traditional usage of wild, edible, vitaminous, and aromatic plants in the nutrition of human population in Bosnia and Herzegovina (W. Balkan peninsula; SE Europe). By method of an ethnobotanical interview, which comprised of over 250 persons, whose average age was 55, and by research on edible wild flora all around Bosnia and Herzegovina that extended over many years, detected were 308 plants belonging to 73 plant families that are being used in nutrition and diet of indigenous population. Edible wild plants are used as delicious vegetables, fruits, peer and spices, in either fresh, raw, or dried condition. Plants are being used for the making of cooked food (33%), fresh salads (19%), mush and bread (17%), or as fresh, wild fruits and drinks (13%) or as spices and ethno-pharmacological potions (10%). The majority of identified, wild edible plants may satisfy the daily human need for elementary nutrition material, particularly those of vitamins C and A, and for some minerals, according to the regulations of World Health Organization (WHO).