Blood DNA virome associates with autoimmune diseases and COVID-19.

Aberrant immune responses to viral pathogens contribute to pathogenesis, but our understanding of pathological immune responses caused by viruses within the human virome, especially at a population scale, remains limited. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing datasets of 6,321 Japanese individuals, including patients with autoimmune diseases (psoriasis vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) or multiple sclerosis) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), or healthy controls. We systematically quantified two constituents of the blood DNA virome, endogenous HHV-6 (eHHV-6) and anellovirus.

Dynamic FDG PET/CT for differentiating focal pelvic uptake in patients with gynecological cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of serial whole-body dynamic PET/CT to differentiate physiological from abnormal F-FDG uptake in the abdomen and pelvis of gynecological cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective study of 61 F-FDG PET/CT examinations for suspected gynecological malignancies or metastases between March 2018 and January 2020. Our protocol included four-phase dynamic whole-body scans.

Inflammation-Triggering Engineered Macrophages (MacTriggers) Enhance Reactivity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Only in Tumor Tissues.

We have previously reported engineered macrophages (MacTriggers) that can accelerate the release of tumor necrosis factor-α in response to M2 polarization. MacTriggers are characterized by two original characteristics of macrophages: (1) migration to tumors; and (2) polarization to the M2 phenotype in tumors. Intravenously administered MacTriggers efficiently accumulated in the tumors and induced tumor-specific inflammation.

Effects of oligosaccharides on performance, intestinal morphology, microbiota and immune reactions in laying hens challenged with dextran sodium sulfate.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oligosaccharide extract from bamboo shoot (BOS) on the performance, intestinal morphology, microbiota and immune reaction of laying hens challenged with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Thirty-two White Leghorn hens (480 days old) were divided into 4 groups (8 hens each) with similar mean body weights: C (basal diet), D (basal diet + DSS), B (5 g/kg BOS diet), and BD (5 g/kg BOS diet + DSS). They were administered a single oral dose of 4 mL of distilled water/kg body weight with or without 0.

The effect of Fc region affinity of protein-based antibody-recruiting molecules on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Previously, we reported anticancer molecules, Fc-binding antibody-recruiting molecules (Fc-ARMs), which crosslink proteins on cancer cells with endogenous immunoglobulin Gs (IgGs) their Fc region. The mobilized IgGs on cancer cells can accommodate natural killer cells to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Because previous Fc-ARMs utilized Fc-binding peptides, their affinity to IgGs is weak, which resulted in the limited induction capability of ADCC.

Effect of milking time on yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk in lactating goats.

Various studies have attempted to improve the milk yield and composition in dairy animals. However, no study has examined the effects of milking at different times on milk yield and composition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk obtained from milking at different times in lactating goats.

descSPIM: an affordable and easy-to-build light-sheet microscope optimized for tissue clearing techniques.

Despite widespread adoption of tissue clearing techniques in recent years, poor access to suitable light-sheet fluorescence microscopes remains a major obstacle for biomedical end-users. Here, we present descSPIM (desktop-equipped SPIM for cleared specimens), a low-cost ($20,000-50,000), low-expertise (one-day installation by a non-expert), yet practical do-it-yourself light-sheet microscope as a solution for this bottleneck. Even the most fundamental configuration of descSPIM enables multi-color imaging of whole mouse brains and a cancer cell line-derived xenograft tumor mass for the visualization of neurocircuitry, assessment of drug distribution, and pathological examination by false-colored hematoxylin and eosin staining in a three-dimensional manner.

In vitro evaluation of novel SN-38 prodrug activated by α-rhamnosidase of exogenous enzyme.

This study introduces the α-rhamnose (Rham)-conjugated prodrug of SN-38 (Rham-SN-38) as a promising alternative to irinotecan. α-rhamnosidase, responsible for SN-38 release from Rham-SN-38, does not express in human cells, minimizing individual variability and side effects. The injection of the α-rhamnosidase into the tumor tissues makes it possible, for the first time, to activate the Rham-SN-38.

Effect of low milking frequency on the concentration of antimicrobial proteins in goat milk.

This study examined the effects of low frequency milking on the concentrations of antimicrobial components in goat milk. Sixteen goats were divided into two groups of eight each: milking once every 2 d three times (for six days, three times group) or five times (for 10 days, five times group). On other days, milking was performed once daily.

Innate Immune Training in Chickens for Improved Defense against Pathogens: A Review.

The avian immune system plays a vital role in poultry production to obtain good productibility and products that are safe and of high quality. Historically, adaptive immunity has been the main target of vaccination. However, over the past decade, innate immunity has been reported to be enhanced in different animals through vaccination and feed additives.

Effects of topical application of resveratrol on tight junction barrier and antimicrobial compound production in lactating goat mammary glands.

In mammary glands, the formation of less-permeable tight junctions (TJs) and the production of antimicrobial compounds like lactoferrin and defensins are important for preventing mastitis. Resveratrol, a polyphenol contained in red grapes, is known to protect mammary epithelial cells (MECs) from oxidative stress; however, oral administration of resveratrol causes a decrease in certain biological processes through conjugation and metabolic conversion. In this study, we determined the beneficial effects of resveratrol on TJs and antimicrobial compounds in cultured goat MECs by adding it to the medium, and in lactating goat mammary glands by topical application for percutaneous absorption.

Concentrations of antimicrobial components in milk at dry off and postpartum and their relationships to new high somatic cell counts at quarter level in dairy cows.

We investigated the antimicrobial components in cow milk at dry off and postpartum and their contribution in preventing new high SCC at quarter level. Milk samples from 72 quarters of 19 lactating cows were collected at last milking before dry off and at 7 d after parturition. Milk yield of each cow was recorded and SCC, IgG, IgA, lactoferrin, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), and S100A7 concentrations in each quarter milk sample were measured.

Effect of different inflammation states on the antimicrobial components in milk of goat udders after milking cessation.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of milking cessation under different inflammatory conditions on the changes in antimicrobial components in milk and the process of mammary gland involution. Twenty udder halves were divided into two groups: those with (LPS) and without (control) lipopolysaccharide infusion, followed by cessation of milking for 8 weeks. Milk samples were collected weekly.

Effective design of PEGylated polyion complex (PIC) nanoparticles for enhancing PIC internalisation in cells utilising block copolymer combinations with mismatched ionic chain lengths.

In nanomedicine, PEGylation of nanomaterials poses a dilemma since it inhibits their interaction with target cells and enables their retention in target tissues despite its biocompatibility and nonspecific internalisation suppression. PEGylated polypeptide-based polyion complexes (PICs) are fabricated the self-assembly of PEGylated aniomers and homocatiomers based on electrostatic interactions. We propose that various parameters like block copolymer design and PIC domain characteristics can enhance the cell-PEGylated PIC interactions.

Effect of sodium butyrate treatment at the basolateral membranes on the tight junction barrier function via a monocarboxylate transporter in goat mammary epithelial cells.

In lactating mammary glands, tight junctions (TJs) prevent blood from mixing with milk and maintain epithelial cell polarity, which is important for milk production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sodium acetate and sodium butyrate (SB) stimulation direction on the TJ barrier function, which is measured with regard to transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein flux, in goat mammary epithelial cells. The expression and localization of the TJ proteins claudin-3 and claudin-4 were examined using Western blotting and immunofluorescence.