Remarkable increases of α1-antichymotrypsin in brain tissues of rodents during prion infection.

α1-Antichymotrypsin (α1-ACT) belongs to a kind of acute-phase inflammatory protein. Recently, such protein has been proved exist in the amyloid deposits which is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, but limitedly reported in prion disease. To estimate the change of α1-ACT during prion infection, the levels of α1-ACT in the brain tissues of scrapie agents 263K-, 139A- and ME7-infected rodents were analyzed, respectively.

A Novel Organic Electrochemical Transistor-Based Platform for Monitoring the Senescent Green Vegetative Phase of Haematococcus pluvialis Cells.

The freshwater unicellular microalga () has gained increasing attention because of its high-value metabolite astaxanthin, a super anti-oxidant. For the maximum astaxanthin production, a key problem is how to determine the senescent green vegetative phase of cells to apply the astaxanthin production inducers. The conventional methods are time-consuming and laborious.

Reduction of NF-κB (p65) in Scrapie-Infected Cultured Cells and in the Brains of Scrapie-Infected Rodents.

Transcription factor NF-κB functions as a pleiotropic regulator of target genes controlling physiological function as well as pathological processes of many different diseases, including some neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of NF-κB in the pathogenesis of prion disease remains ambiguous. In this study, the status of NF-κB (p65) in a prion-infected cell line SMB-S15 was first evaluated.

Highly Compressible Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Foam Electrode with Excellent Rate Capability via a Smart Etching and Catalytic Process.

Freestanding three-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon foam with large pores is proposed as a promising electrode configuration for elastic electronics. Although it exhibits excellent mechanical performance, the capacitive performances (especially its rate capability) are still unsatisfactory. By using KMnO, we demonstrate a smart etching and catalytic process to form highly graphitized and etched nitrogen-doped carbon foam (ENCF) with an exfoliated carbon-shell architecture.

Clinical and laboratory features of 14 young Chinese probable sCJD patients.

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) occurs frequently in the relatively older population, mainly in the groups of 60-69 and 70-79 year-old. Since 2006 when China performed national CJD surveillance, 14 young probable sCJD patients below 40 year-old were identified, counting for 1.93% of all probable sCJD cases.

Comparative proteomics analyses for 139A and ME7 scrapie infected mice brains in the middle and terminal stages.

Purpose: To analyze the proteomics patterns in the cortex regions of scrapie strains 139A- and ME7-infected mice collected in the middle and terminal stages.

Experimental Design: Western Blot and immunohistochemistry methods are used to analyze the pathological changes in mice collected in the middle and terminal stages. The technique of iTRAQ and multidimensional LC and MS are used to analyze the proteomics patterns of mice in different stages.

Aberrant Alterations of Mitochondrial Factors Drp1 and Opa1 in the Brains of Scrapie Experiment Rodents.

The abnormal mitochondrial dynamics has been reported in the brains of some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), but limitedly described in prion disease. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drpl) and optic atrophy protein 1 (Opa1) are two essential elements for mitochondria fission and fusion. To evaluate possible changes of mitochondria dynamics during prion infection, the situations of brain Drp1 and Opa1 of scrapie strains 139A, ME7, and S15 mice, as well as 263K-infected hamsters, were analyzed.

Quality evaluation for the surveillance system of human prion diseases in China based on the data from 2010 to 2016.

The surveillance of CJD or human prion diseases (PrDs) has been conducted for 10 y in China. To evaluate the quality of China CJD surveillance system, the collections of the clinical and epidemiological information, the sampling, the clinical examinations and laboratory tests and follow-up survey were separately analyzed based on the data from 2010 to 2015. The obtaining rates of clinical-information table, epidemiological-information table, sample inspection sheet and medical record of the referring patients from reporting units to the center of CJD surveillance maintained or reached at very high levels, being close to 100% in the past 3 y.

DHA Production in Escherichia coli by Expressing Reconstituted Key Genes of Polyketide Synthase Pathway from Marine Bacteria.

The gene encoding phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase), pfaE, a component of the polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway, is crucial for the production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3), along with the other pfa cluster members pfaA, pfaB, pfaC and pfaD. DHA was produced in Escherichia coli by co-expressing pfaABCD from DHA-producing Colwellia psychrerythraea 34H with one of four pfaE genes from bacteria producing arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4ω6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω3) or DHA, respectively. Substitution of the pfaE gene from different strain source in E.

Down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its signaling components in the brain tissues of scrapie experimental animals.

Prion is a unique nucleic acid-free pathogen that causes human and animal fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a prototypic neurotrophin that helps to support the survival of existing neurons, and encourage the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses through axonal and dendritic sprouting. There are two distinct classes of glycosylated receptors, neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) and tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk), that can bind to BDNF.

Characterization of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases which stimulate secretion of fatty acids in green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Background: Microalgae biofuel has become the most promising renewable energy over the past few years. But limitations still exist because of its high cost. Although, efforts have been made in enhancement of lipid productivity, the major cost problem in harvesting and oil extraction is still intractable.

Alpha 5/6 helix domains together with N-terminus determine the apoptotic potency of the Bcl-2 family proteins.

A critical process in apoptosis is the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). This process is known to be regulated by the multi-domain Bcl-2 family proteins. For example, the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak are responsible for forming pores at MOM.

Detection and Analysis of Ebola Virus in Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biosafety Laboratory from March 11 to April 20, 2015.

Ebola virus disease reemerged in Western Africa in 2014. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention dispatched the first Ebola virus (EBOV) detection team to run newly established Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory. The aims of study were to understand epidemiology, clinical manifestations and survival time of EBOV in patient's blood.

[Establishment of Quality Control System of Nucleic Acid Detection for Ebola Virus in Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory].

The quality control process throughout the Ebola virus nucleic acid detection in Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory (SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab) was described in detail, in order to comprehensively display the scientific, rigorous, accurate and efficient practice in detection of Ebola virus of first batch detection team in SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab. Firstly, the key points of laboratory quality control system was described, including the managements and organizing, quality control documents and information management, instrument, reagents and supplies, assessment, facilities design and space allocation, laboratory maintenance and biosecurity. Secondly, the application of quality control methods in the whole process of the Ebola virus detection, including before the test, during the test and after the test, was analyzed.

Overexpression of PLK3 Mediates the Degradation of Abnormal Prion Proteins Dependent on Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy.

Polo-like kinase 3 (PLK3) is the main cause of cell cycle reentry-related neuronal apoptosis which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Previous work also showed the regulatory activity of exogenous PLK3 on the degradation of PrP (prion protein) mutants and pathogenic PrP; however, the precise mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we identified that the overexpression of PLK3-mediated degradation of PrP mutant and PrP was repressed by lysosome rather than by proteasomal and macroautophagy inhibitors.

Good laboratory practices guarantee biosafety in the Sierra Leone-China friendship biosafety laboratory.

Background: The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa between 2014 and 2015 was the largest EDV epidemic since the identification of Ebola virus (EBOV) in 1976, and the countries most strongly affected were Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

Findings: The Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory (SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab), a fixed Biosafety Level 3 laboratory in the capital city of Sierra Leone, was established by the Chinese government and has been active in EBOV detection since 11 March 2015. Complete management and program documents were created for the SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab, and it was divided into four zones (the green, yellow, brown, and red zones) based on the risk assessment.

Rare E196A mutation in PRNP gene of 3 Chinese patients with Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.

Inherited prion diseases are characterized by mutations in the PRNP gene, which account for 5-15% of human prion diseases. Here we reported 3 Chinese genetic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease cases (gCJD) with a rare mutation in PRNP leading to an exchange of amino acid from glutamic acid (E) to alanine (A) at codon 196 (E196A). All three patients were Han Chinese without any sibship among them.

Increases of Galectin-1 and its S-nitrosylated form in the Brain Tissues of Scrapie-Infected Rodent Models and Human Prion Diseases.

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) shows neuroprotective activity in brain ischemia, spinal cord injury, and autoimmune neuroinflammation. To evaluate the Gal-1 situation in the brains of prion disease, the brain levels of Gal-1 in several scrapie-infected experimental rodent models were tested by Western blot, including agents 263K-infected hamsters, 139A-, ME7-, and S15-infected mice. Remarkable increases of brain Gal-1 were observed in all tested scrapie-infected rodents at the terminal stage.

Freestanding, Hydrophilic Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Foams for Highly Compressible All Solid-State Supercapacitors.

Freestanding and highly compressible nitrogen-doped carbon foam (NCF) with excellent hydrophilicity and good electrochemical properties is prepared. Based on NCF electrodes, a high-performance all solid-state symmetric supercapacitor device is fabricated with native, full compressibility, and excellent mechanical stability, addressing two major problems in the current technology.

Low activity of complement in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patients with various prion diseases.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the state of activity and levels of complement in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with various prion diseases (PrDs).

Findings: The proteomic data emphasized the levels of 20 known complement components found in the CSF of the sCJD panel that were lower than those found in the non-PrD panel. 50 % of the complement hemolytic activity (CH50) assays revealed significantly lower activity of complement in the CSF of the sCJD panel.

Enlargement of the superior rectus and superior oblique muscles causes intorsion in Graves' eye disease.

Purpose: To review the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative intorsion in patients with strabismus and Graves' eye disease (GED), and to correlate the intorsion with coexisting superior rectus (SR) and superior oblique (SO) muscle enlargement as a possible mechanism causing intorsion in these patients.

Methods: Charts of consecutive patients with GED who underwent strabismus surgery between 1 January 2010 and 1 April 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, patients with orbital CT or MRI scan were identified for further analysis.

The Brain NO Levels and NOS Activities Ascended in the Early and Middle Stages and Descended in the Terminal Stage in Scrapie-Infected Animal Models.

The infections of prion agents may cause progressive and fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and a serial of animal species. Previous studies have proposed that the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the brains of some neurodegeneration diseases changed, while S-nitrosylation (SNO) of many brain proteins altered in prion diseases. To elucidate the potential changes of brain NO levels during prion infection, the NO levels and NOS activities in the brain tissues of three scrapie experimental rodents were measured, including scrapie agent 263 K-infected hamsters and 139A- and ME7-infected mice.

Re-infection of the prion from the scrapie‑infected cell line SMB-S15 in three strains of mice, CD1, C57BL/6 and Balb/c.

It is well known that the SMB-S15 cell line was originally established by cultures from the brains of mice affected by the Chandler scrapie strain, and this cell line may express PrPSc permanently. However, the infectivity of the S15-derived prions on experimental animals has not yet been well documented. In the present study, the cell lysates of SMB-S15 were intracerebrally inoculated into three different strains of mice, namely C57BL/6, Balb/c and CD1.