A single-agent fusion of human IL-2 and anti-IL-2 antibody that selectively expands regulatory T cells.

The occurrence of many autoimmune diseases takes root on the disrupted balance among Treg cells, Teff cells, etc. Low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) cytokine demonstrates promising clinical efficacy in the expansion of Treg cells and the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, its clinical application is hindered by the small therapeutic index and short half-life.

Serum exosomal miR-34a as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognostic of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered as potentially non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of cancers. Due to the lack of highly sensitive and specific molecular markers, a lot of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are diagnosed in advanced stages. This study aims to explore the expression mode and clinical detection value of serum exosomal miR-34a in HCC, providing new potential targets and theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma.

NLRC3 High Expression Represents a Novel Predictor for Positive Overall Survival Correlated With CCL5 and CXCL9 in HCC Patients.

NLRC3 (NLR family caspase recruitment domain containing 3) has been reported as a factor of inhibiting inflammatory responses. It's role in HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) is still unknown. In this study we firstly used the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database and mIHC (multiple immunohistochemical analysis) with TMAs (tumor tissue microarrays) of HCC patients to evaluate NLRC3 levels.

Exploring the effect of plant substrates on bacterial community structure in termite fungus-combs.

Fungus-cultivating termites are successful herbivores largely rely on the external symbiotic fungus-combs to decompose plant polysaccharides. The comb harbors both fungi and bacteria. However, the complementary roles and functions of the bacteria are out of the box.

Decreased Circulating MANF in Women with PCOS is Elevated by Metformin Therapy and is Inversely Correlated with Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a novel neurotrophic factor. Although recent studies have suggested that MANF appeared to be associated with insulin resistance, the results have been inconsistent. The aim of our study was to determine the serum MANF levels in women with PCOS and controls, to investigate their relationship to insulin resistance, and to evaluate circulating MANF changes with metformin intervention in PCOS women.

The Recognition of the Distribution Features of Corticospinal Neurons by a Retrograde Trans-synaptic Tracing to Elucidate the Clinical Application of Contralateral Middle Trunk Transfer.

Corticospinal neurons (CSNs) undertake direct cortical outputs to the spinal cord and innervate the upper limb through the brachial plexus. Our previous study has shown that the contralateral middle trunk transfer to the paralyzed upper extremity due to cerebral injury can reconstruct the functional cerebral cortex and improve the function of the paralyzed upper extremity. To interpret the cortical reconstruction and the motor improvement after the middle trunk transfer, we explored the distribution of CSNs connecting to the middle, upper, and lower trunk of the brachial plexus by retrograde trans-neuronal tracing using pseudorabies virus (PRV-EGFP or PRV-mRFP).

A novel mouse model of contralateral C7 transfer via the pretracheal route: A feasibility study.

Background: Contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer (contralateral C7 transfer) is a novel treatment for patients with spastic paralysis, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. However, little is known on changes in plasticity that occur in the intact hemisphere after C7 transfer. An appropriate surgical model is required.

A novel role for the Krüppel-like factor 14 on macrophage inflammatory response and atherosclerosis development.

Genome-wide association studies have shown that Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) is associated with both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism. However, its role in chronic inflammatory responses and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains unknown. The present study was designed to investigate both in vivo and in vitro the impact of KLF14 on chronic inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis.