Reversal of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by nanoparticle-based activation of immune-associated cells.

Immunotherapy that activates the host immune system to reverse immunosuppression has emerged as a new generation of cancer treatment in both preclinical studies and clinical trials. Although immunotherapy has shown significant achievements in the treatment of various cancers, it faces challenges that limit its further evolution such as poor permeation and modest responsiveness. The development of nanoparticle drug delivery system has provided an opportunity to overcome these drawbacks and to achieve optimized immunotherapy.

Identification of FECH gene multiple variations in two Chinese patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria and a review.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), an autosomal dominant disease, is caused by partial deficiency of ferrochelatase (FECH), which catalyzes the terminal step of heme biosynthesis because of loss-of-function mutations in the FECH gene. To date, only a few cases have been described in Asia. In this study, we describe the clinical features of two Chinese patients with EPP, with diagnosis confirmed by the increase of free protoporphyrin in erythrocytes, detection of plasma fluorescence peak at 630-634 nm, and analysis of FECH gene mutations.

Inhibitory effects of trolox-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles on tert-butylhydroperoxide induced RAW264.7 apoptosis.

A nanocarrier, namely, hydroxylethyl-chitosan nanoparticles was developed in this research for delivering antioxidants with 6-hydroxy-2, 5, 7, 8-tetra-methylchromane-2-carboxylic acid (trolox) as a model antioxidant. The trolox-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (trolox-CS NPs) were prepared by modifying chitosan with epoxyethane, which self-assembled into NPs and entrapped trolox, and then characterized by their size, size distribution, morphology and in vitro trolox release profile. Intracellular trafficking of CS NPs was observed.

Do the mutations of C1GALT1C1 gene play important roles in the genetic susceptibility to Chinese IgA nephropathy?

Background: The deficiency of beta1,3 galactose in hinge region of IgA1 molecule played a pivotal role in pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Cosmc, encoded by C1GALT1C1 gene, was indispensable to beta1,3 galactosylation of IgA1. We designed a serial study to investigate the relationship between the mutations of C1GALT1C1 gene and the genetic susceptibility to IgAN.

[Influences of MyoG gene on reproductive traits in Jinhua pig].

The genotypes in the second intron and 3' UTR region of myogenin gene in 149 Jinhua pigs (line I, 109; line II, 15; line III, 25) were detected by PCR-RFLP method. The results showed that three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) in the PCR1-MspI-RFLP site were detected and their frequencies were 0.1544, 0.