Nanobodies in cytokine‑mediated immunotherapy and immunoimaging (Review).

Cytokines are the main regulators of innate and adaptive immunity, mediating communications between the cells of the immune system and regulating biological functions, including cell motility, differentiation, growth and apoptosis. Cytokines and cytokine receptors have been used in the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases, and to intervene in cytokine storms. Indeed, the use of monoclonal antibodies to block cytokine‑receptor interactions, as well as antibody‑cytokine fusion proteins has exhibited immense potential for the treatment of tumors and autoimmune diseases.

Dendritic cells modified by tumor associated antigen SMP30 have enhanced antitumor effect against mouse hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives: Tumor immunotherapy based on dendritic cells (DC) is one of the most promising approaches to treat cancers. This therapy uses an immunogenic tumor antigen to present it to T cells. Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is identified as a tumor associated antigen (TAA) with high immunogenicity and specificity for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

GP96 and SMP30 Protein Priming of Dendritic Cell Vaccination Induces a More Potent CTL Response against Hepatoma.

Heat-shock protein (HSP) GP96 is a well-known adjuvant in immunotherapy. It belongs to the HSP90 family. Our previous study demonstrated that DC pulsed with recombinant senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) could induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against liver cancer cells in vitro.

Study on the Applicability of Reservoir Fractal Characterization in Middle-High Rank Coals with NMR: Implications for Pore-Fracture Structure Evolution within the Coalification Process.

In order to evaluate the applicability of the pore-fracture structure fractal characterizations in coal reservoirs and confirm the internal relationships between the porosity, permeability, coal metamorphic grade, and pore-fracture structure, the pore-fracture features of 21 middle-high rank coal samples from Anhe, Jiaozuo, and Huaibei coalfields in northern China were investigated using a low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). All the coal samples are characterized by low moisture content ( ), low and medium ash yield ( ), and high vitrinite (V) in coal maceral. The adsorption space fractal dimension ( ) is positively correlated with the Langmuir volume ( ) under the three-peak transverse relaxation time ( ) spectrum.

Upregulating promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma progression.

: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a common malignant tumor worldwide. Although kinectin 1 () is the most frequently identified antigen in HCC tissues, the detailed roles of in HCC remain unknown. This study seeks to clarify the expression status and clinical value of in HCC and to explore the complicated biological functions of and its underlying mechanisms.

Impact of blood-brain barrier disruption on newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder symptoms and prognosis.

Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and ensuing immune activation are central to the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases. However, the influence of BBB permeability on the clinical signs and prognosis of newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has not been examined. We investigate the relationships between BBB permeability as showed by the albumin quotient (qalb) and clinical features of NMOSD.

Functional studies of Drosophila zinc transporters reveal the mechanism for zinc excretion in Malpighian tubules.

Background: Zinc is an essential metal involved in many physiological processes. Previous work has identified a set of zinc transporters involved in Drosophila dietary zinc absorption. However, zinc excretion and reabsorption, the other two important processes to maintain zinc homeostasis, are not as well understood.

Lateralization of gene expression in the honeybee brain during olfactory learning.

In the last decade, it has been demonstrated that brain functional asymmetry occurs not only in vertebrates but also in invertebrates. However, the mechanisms underlying functional asymmetry remain unclear. In the present study, we trained honeybees of the same parentage and age, on the proboscis extension reflex (PER) paradigm with only one antenna in use.

Transcriptome differences in the hypopharyngeal gland between Western Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and Eastern Honeybees (Apis cerana).

Background: Apis mellifera and Apis cerana are two sibling species of Apidae. Apis cerana is adept at collecting sporadic nectar in mountain and forest region and exhibits stiffer hardiness and acarid resistance as a result of natural selection, whereas Apis mellifera has the advantage of producing royal jelly. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that affect the development of hypopharyngeal gland (HG) and/or the secretion of royal jelly between these two honeybee species, we performed a digital gene expression (DGE) analysis of the HGs of these two species at three developmental stages (newly emerged worker, nurse and forager).

The integrative analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression in Apis mellifera following maze-based visual pattern learning.

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a social insect with strong sensory capacity and diverse behavioral repertoire and is recognized as a good model organism for studying the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. In this study, we analyzed the changes in microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) following maze-based visual learning using next-generation small RNA sequencing and Solexa/lllumina Digital Gene Expression tag profiling (DGE). For small RNA sequencing, we obtained 13 367 770 and 13 132 655 clean tags from the maze and control groups, respectively.

Functional studies of Drosophila zinc transporters reveal the mechanism for dietary zinc absorption and regulation.

Background: Zinc is key to the function of many proteins, but the process of dietary zinc absorption is not well clarified. Current knowledge about dietary zinc absorption is fragmented, and mostly derives from incomplete mammalian studies. To gain a comprehensive picture of this process, we systematically characterized all zinc transporters (that is, the Zip and ZnT family members) for their possible roles in dietary zinc absorption in a genetically amenable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster.

Gene expression analysis following olfactory learning in Apis mellifera.

The honeybee has a strong learning and memory ability, and is recognized as the best model organism for studying the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression difference following proboscis extension response-based olfactory learning in the A. mellifera using a tag-based digital gene expression (DGE) method.