HIV-related Differences in Placental Immunology: Data From the PRACHITi Cohort in Pune, India.

Background: Maternal HIV infection can affect placental immunology and expression of the neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn), which allows transplacental antibody transfer. This study delineated differences in placental FcRn and T-cell expression by HIV status, with or without viral suppression.

Methods: This observational cohort study in Pune, India, followed pregnant women with and without HIV through 1 year postpartum; 42 had placenta collected, stratified by HIV status.

Innovative Approaches to Combat Duck Viral Hepatitis: Dual-Specific Anti-DHAV-1 and DHAV-3 Yolk Antibodies.

Duck viral hepatitis (DVH), a highly contagious and acutely fatal avian disease, is characterized by convulsions, acute death, liver swelling, and hemorrhage, leading to substantial losses in the duck industry. However, there is no efficient prevention and control method for DHV infection. Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) is one of the primary pathogens responsible for DVH.

Integrating genome- and transcriptome-wide association studies to uncover the host-microbiome interactions in bovine rumen methanogenesis.

The ruminal microbiota generates biogenic methane in ruminants. However, the role of host genetics in modifying ruminal microbiota-mediated methane emissions remains mysterious, which has severely hindered the emission control of this notorious greenhouse gas. Here, we uncover the host genetic basis of rumen microorganisms by genome- and transcriptome-wide association studies with matched genome, rumen transcriptome, and microbiome data from a cohort of 574 Holstein cattle.

Preparation of Bispecific IgY-scFvs Inhibition Adherences of Enterotoxigenic (K88 and F18) to Porcine IPEC-J2 Cell.

Enterotoxigenic (ETEC) strains are significant contributors to postweaning diarrhea in piglets. Of the ETEC causing diarrhea, K88 and F18 accounted for 92.7%.

Brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia: a resting functional magnetic resonance imaging study based on voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity.

Aim: To explore the brain mechanism of acupuncture for children with anisometropic amblyopia using the voxel-mirror homotopic connectivity (VMHC) analysis method of resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technology based on clinical effectiveness.

Methods: Eighty children with anisometropic monocular amblyopia were randomly divided into two groups: control (40 cases, 1 case of shedding) and acupuncture (40 cases, 1 case of shedding) groups. The control group was treated with glasses, red flash, grating, and visual stimulations, with each procedure conducted for 5min per time.

A new triboelectric nanogenerator based on a multi-material stacking structure achieves efficient power conversion from discrete mechanical movement.

Due to its invaluable potential in discrete mechanical energy collection, TENG (triboelectric nanogenerator) is considered to satisfy the power requirements of intelligent electronic devices and drive the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). Nowadays, the promotion of TENGs has been hindered due to the limitation of their output performance and service life. Herein, a brand new triboelectric nanogenerator based on a multi-material stacking structure is proposed.

GC-biased gene conversion drives accelerated evolution of ultraconserved elements in mammalian and avian genomes.

Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are the most conserved regions among the genomes of evolutionarily distant species and are thought to play critical biological functions. However, some UCEs rapidly evolved in specific lineages, and whether they contributed to adaptive evolution is still controversial. Here, using an increased number of sequenced genomes with high taxonomic coverage, we identified 2191 mammalian UCEs and 5938 avian UCEs from 95 mammal and 94 bird genomes, respectively.

Simultaneous detection of glycinin and β-conglycinin in processed soybean products by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with stable isotope-labeled standard peptides.

Glycinin and β-conglycinin are the two main allergic proteins in soybean. Due to their complex structures and lack of protein standards, it is difficult to achieve quantitative determination of these proteins in soybeans. In this study, an HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five subunits of glycinin (G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5) and three subunits of β-conglycinin (α, α', and β) in processed soybean products based on 8 specific peptides and their stable isotope-labeled peptides.

Adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant mice are gestational age-dependent and resolve with antiviral treatment.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with severe COVID-19 and adverse fetal outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Moreover, clinical studies assessing therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy are limited. To address these gaps, we developed a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.

Silver nanocluster-based aptasensor for the label-free and enzyme-free detection of ochratoxin A.

Mycotoxin contamination in cereal is a global concern, threatening food safety and human health, necessitating the development of rapid on-site methods. Here, a label- and enzyme-free biosensor was developed based on aptamer-regulated DNA-silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) for rapid detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). A novel DNA-templated AgNCs emitting strong red fluorescence was designed and synthesized in this study.

A Stacked FKM/PU Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Discrete Mechanical Energy Harvesting.

To combine the advantages of elastic and nonelastic triboelectric materials, this work proposes a new type of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on stacking -the stacked FKM/PU TENG. By stacking the elastomer polyurethane (PU) and the nonelastomer fluororubber (FKM), the FKM/PU TENG combines the inherent triboelectric characteristics of both materials and the unique elasticity of PU to achieve an output performance that is much higher than that of the FKM-TENG or the PU-TENG. The maximum instantaneous open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of the FKM/PU TENG reach 661 V and 71.

Adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant mice are gestational age-dependent and resolve with antiviral treatment.

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with severe COVID-19 and adverse fetal outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Moreover, clinical studies assessing therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy are limited. To address these gaps, we developed a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.

Sex-specific differences in T-cell immune dysregulation and aberrant response to inflammatory stimuli in offspring exposed to maternal chronic inflammation.

Problems: Maternal chronic inflammation (MI) can adversely affect offspring's immune development resulting in dysregulation of splenic T cells. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) contributes to mediating inflammation in the placenta to induce fetal toxicity and cause long-term postnatal sequelae. In this study, we investigated how MI affects the T-cell immune development from the fetal to the neonatal period and how offspring responded to postnatal IL-1β challenge when exposed to an adverse intrauterine environment.

Maternal siRNA silencing of placental SAA2 mitigates preterm birth following intrauterine inflammation.

The placental inflammatory processes induced maternally result in preterm birth (PTB). Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a well-known biomarker of inflammation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether murine placental SAA isoforms (SAA1-4) participate in the mechanism of spontaneous PTB and whether maternal regulation of SAA production may serve as a therapeutic approach.

Altered sialidase expression in human myeloid cells undergoing apoptosis and differentiation.

To gain insight into sialic acid biology and sialidase/neuraminidase (NEU) expression in mature human neutrophil (PMN)s, we studied NEU activity and expression in PMNs and the HL60 promyelocytic leukemic cell line, and changes that might occur in PMNs undergoing apoptosis and HL60 cells during their differentiation into PMN-like cells. Mature human PMNs contained NEU activity and expressed NEU2, but not NEU1, the NEU1 chaperone, protective protein/cathepsin A(PPCA), NEU3, and NEU4 proteins. In proapoptotic PMNs, NEU2 protein expression increased > 30.

Quantum Dot Nanobead-Based Fluorescence-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Glycinin in Soybeans and Soy Products.

Soybean glycinin, as a major soybean allergen, is difficult to accurately quantify due to its large molecular weight and complex structure. CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobead (QB) is a core/shell fluorescent nanomaterial with strong fluorescent signals and high sensitivity at 630 nm. An immunosorbent assay based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobeads (QBs-FLISA) was developed for the glycinin quantification in soybean and soybean products.

Downregulation of transcriptional activity, increased inflammation, and damage in the placenta following Zika virus infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy causes serious adverse outcomes to the developing fetus, including fetal loss and birth defects known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). The mechanism by which ZIKV infection causes these adverse outcomes and specifically, the interplay between the maternal immune response and ZIKV replication has yet to be fully elucidated. Using an immunocompetent mouse model of transplacental ZIKV transmission and adverse pregnancy outcomes, we have previously shown that Asian lineage ZIKV disrupts placental morphology and induces elevated secretion of IL-1β.

Dendrimer-Based N-Acetyl Cysteine Maternal Therapy Ameliorates Placental Inflammation Maintenance of M1/M2 Macrophage Recruitment.

Intrauterine inflammation (IUI) is the primary cause of spontaneous preterm birth and predisposes neonates to long-term sequelae, including adverse neurological outcomes. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is the amino acid L-cysteine derivative and a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). NAC is commonly used clinically as an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Quantification of lectin in soybeans and soy products by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Lectin is one of the major anti-nutritional factors in soybeans and inhibits digestion of dietary protein. Here, an absolute quantification method was developed to detect lectin using synthetic peptide TTSWDLANNK as reference standard and corresponding isotope labeled peptide TTSWDLANNK (Alanine-C,N) as internal standard to normalize results. After the ground soybeans and soy products were defatted with n-hexane and extracted with extraction buffer, the crude protein extract was digested on filter membrane by trypsin.

Type 1 Cytotoxic T Cells Increase in Placenta after Intrauterine Inflammation.

CD8+ T cells recognize non-self antigen by MHC class I molecules and kill the target cells by the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Our group previously reported an increase of CD8+ T-cell trafficking in the placenta with exposure to Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). CD8+ cytotoxic T cells have been classified into distinct subsets based upon cytokine production: Tc1 cells produce IFN-γ, Tc2 cells produce interleukin 4 (IL-4).

Dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone in feedstuffs.

A novel dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (QBs-FLISA) was successfully developed for simultaneously detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) in feedstuffs. Dual CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobeads with different diameters that emit red and green fluorescence were conjugated with anti-AFB1 and anti-ZEN monoclonal antibodies to prepare fluorescent probes, which greatly enhance analytical performance. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for AFB1 and ZEN were 9.

Neuraminidase 1-mediated desialylation of the mucin 1 ectodomain releases a decoy receptor that protects against lung infection.

(Pa) expresses an adhesin, flagellin, that engages the mucin 1 (MUC1) ectodomain (ED) expressed on airway epithelia, increasing association of MUC1-ED with neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) and MUC1-ED desialylation. The MUC1-ED desialylation unmasks both cryptic binding sites for Pa and a protease recognition site, permitting its proteolytic release as a hyperadhesive decoy receptor for Pa. We found here that intranasal administration of Pa strain K (PAK) to BALB/c mice increases MUC1-ED shedding into the bronchoalveolar compartment.

[Progress of Researches on Brain Mechanism Underlying Regulatory Effect of Acupuncture Intervention on Visual Plasticity of Amblyopia].

Acupuncture therapy has a positive effect in the treatment of amblyopia. This article summarizes findings of the research on brain mechanisms underlying the regulatory effect of acupuncture on visual plasticity of amblyopia. In a multi-system and multi-level viewpoints, we elaborated brain mechanism underlying the regulatory effect of acupuncture on visual plasticity in amblyopia from the perspective of ultrastructure, plasticity, electrical activities, neural coding and visual microcirculation of the neurons of the visual cortex, and the targeting points from the visual center to the effector organ.

[Molecular Biology of the Treatment of Amblyopia with Acupuncture: a Review of Recent Research].

Acupuncture has been found effective for the treatment of amblyopia, and its mechanism has been investigated. A review of recently published research results indicated that when used to treat amblyopia, acupuncture induced changes in the action of neurotransmitters in the visual system, promoted the secretion and synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and stimulated the expression of genes related to visual plasticity.