Simulation Palynologists for Pollinosis Prevention: A Progressive Learning of Pollen Localization and Classification for Whole Slide Images.

Existing API approaches usually independently leverage detection or classification models to distinguish allergic pollens from Whole Slide Images (WSIs). However, palynologists tend to identify pollen grains in a progressive learning manner instead of the above one-stage straightforward way. They generally focus on two pivotal problems during pollen identification.

HLA-B*27 Heavy Chain Homo-Oligomers Promote the Cytotoxicity of NK Cells via Activation of PI3K/AKT Signaling.

and Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease and is highly linked with the expression of the human leukocytic antigen-B*27 (HLA-B*27) genotype. HLA-B*27 heavy chain (B*27-HC) has an innate characteristic to slowly fold, resulting in the accumulation of the misfolded B*27-HC and the formation of homo-oligomeric B*27-HC molecules. The homo-oligomeric B*27-HC can act as a ligand of KIR3DL2.

Down-Regulation of LOC645166 in T Cells of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Promotes the NF-κB Signaling Decreasingly Blocking Recruitment of the IKK Complex to K63-Linked Polyubiquitin Chains.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine. AS is highly associated with the expression of HLA-B27. Up to 95% AS patients are HLA-B27-positive.

Identification of phostensin in association with Eps 15 homology domain-containing protein 1 (EHD1) and EHD4.

Phostensin (PTS) encoded by KIAA1949 is a protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)-binding protein. In order to explore the cellular functions of PTS, we have searched PTS-binding proteins by using co-immunoprecipitation in combination with shotgun proteomics. Here, we report two novel PTS-binding proteins, Eps 15 homology domain-containing protein 1 (EHD1) and EHD4.

Fiber Optic Particle Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for Label-Free Detection of Nucleic Acids and Its Application to HLA-B27 mRNA Detection in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

We developed a label-free, real-time, and highly sensitive nucleic acid biosensor based on fiber optic particle plasmon resonance (FOPPR). The biosensor employs a single-strand deoxyoligonucleotides (ssDNA) probe, conjugated to immobilized gold nanoparticles on the core surface of an optical fiber. We explore the steric effects on hybridization affinity and limit of detection (LOD), by using different ssDNA probe designs and surface chemistries, including diluent molecules of different lengths in mixed self-assembled monolayers, ssDNA probes of different oligonucleotide lengths, ssDNA probes in different orientations to accommodate target oligonucleotides with a hybridization region located unevenly in the strand.

Targeted Delivery of the HLA-B27-Binding Peptide into the Endoplasmic Reticulum Suppresses the IL-23/IL-17 Axis of Immune Cells in Spondylarthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is highly associated with the expression of human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27). HLA-B27 heavy chain (B27-HC) has an intrinsic propensity to fold slowly, leading to the accumulation of the misfolded B27-HC in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and formation of the HLA-B27 HC homodimer, (B27-HC), by a disulfide linkage at Cys-67. (B27-HC) displayed on the cell surface can act as a ligand of the killer-cell Ig-like receptor (KIR3DL2).

Esophageal insufflation computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of esophageal submucosal tumors.

Background: The selection of therapy for benign esophageal lesions depends in part on whether the lesion extends to or through the esophageal muscle wall. The advent of endoscopic dissection of deep lesions has made this distinction important in the choice between different forms of advanced endoscopic therapy. The goal of this study was to evaluate esophageal insufflation computed tomography (EICT) for the diagnosis and management of esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs).

Sulfasalazine Treatment Suppresses the Formation of HLA-B27 Heavy Chain Homodimer in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Human leukocytic antigen-B27 heavy chain (HLA-B27 HC) has the tendency to fold slowly, in turn gradually forming a homodimer, (B27-HC)₂ via a disulfide linkage to activate killer cells and T-helper 17 cells and inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to trigger the IL-23/IL-17 axis for pro-inflammatory reactions. All these consequences lead to the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sulfasalazine (SSA) is a common medication used for treatment of patients with AS.

Characterization of the recognition specificity of BH2, a monoclonal antibody prepared against the HLA-B27 heavy chain.

BH2, a monoclonal antibody prepared against the denatured human leukocytic antigen-B27 heavy chain (HLA-B27 HC), can immunoprecipitate the misfolded HLA-B27 HC complexed with Bip in the endoplasmic reticulum and recognize the homodimerized HLA-B27 HC that is often observed on the cell membrane of patients suffered from ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the recognition specificity of BH2 toward the other molecules of HLA-B type and toward the different types of HLA molecules remained uncharacterized. In this study, we carried out the HLA-typing by using the Luminex Technology to characterize the recognition specificity of BH2 and analyzed the binding domain of HLA-B27 HC by BH2.

[Acclimatization and characteristics of microbial community in sulphate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation].

The greenhouse effect of methane is 26 times worse than that of carbon dioxide, and wastewater containing high concentrations of sulfate is harmful to water, soil and plants. Therefore, anaerobic oxidation of methane driven by sulfate is one of the effective ways for methane reduction. In this paper, with sulfate as the electron accepter, a microbial consortium capable of oxidating methane under anaerobic condition was cultured.

Association between cytokines and methylation of SOCS-1 in serum of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

In this study, we aim to determine the relationship between methylation level of an inflammatory-related gene, SOCS-1 in serum samples of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and their degree of inflammation as well as serum cytokine level. Quantitative real time methylation specific PCR was performed to examine the promoter methylation of SOCS-1 in serum samples of 43 HLA-B27+ AS patients and 6 B27+ healthy controls. Degree of inflammation was accessed by spondylopathy, sacroiliitis as well as acute phase reactant, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Targeted delivery of an antigenic peptide to the endoplasmic reticulum: application for development of a peptide therapy for ankylosing spondylitis.

The development of suitable methods to deliver peptides specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can provide some potential therapeutic applications of such peptides. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is strongly associated with the expression of human leukocytic antigen-B27 (HLA-B27). HLA-B27 heavy chain (HC) has a propensity to fold slowly resulting in the accumulation of misfolded HLA-B27 HC in the ER, triggering the unfolded protein response, and forming a homodimer, (B27-HC)2.

Identification and characterization of the actin-binding motif of phostensin.

Phostensin, a protein phosphatase 1 F-actin cytoskeleton-targeting subunit encoded by KIAA1949, consists of 165 amino acids and caps the pointed ends of actin filaments. Sequence alignment analyses suggest that the C-terminal region of phostensin, spanning residues 129 to 155, contains a consensus actin-binding motif. Here, we have verified the existence of an actin-binding motif in the C-terminal domain of phostensin using colocalization, F-actin co-sedimentation and single filament binding assays.

Immunolocalization of phostensin in lymphatic cells and tissues.

Phostensin binds to the pointed ends of actin filaments and modulates actin dynamics. The genomic location of phostensin is between the HLA-C and HLA-E gene clusters on human chromosome 6, and the mRNA of this protein is predominantly distributed in the spleen, thymus, and peripheral leukocytes. However, the distribution of phostensin in leukocyte cell populations and the subcellular localization have not yet been determined.

Phostensin caps to the pointed end of actin filaments and modulates actin dynamics.

Phostensin, a protein phosphatase 1 F-actin cytoskeleton targeting subunit encoded by KIAA1949, consists of 165 amino acids and is located between HLA-C and HLA-E gene clusters on human chromosome 6. In this current study, we characterized the biochemical functions of phostensin. Actin dynamics assays using gelsolin-actin seeds showed that phostensin decreases the elongation and depolymerization rates of actin filament pointed ends.

HLA haplotype A33-B58-Cw10 may modulate radiographic development of bamboo spine in Taiwanese patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: To evaluate the possible relationship between HLA alleles and bony ankylosis of the spine (bamboo spine) in Taiwanese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: A small cohort of HLA-B27 positive AS patients was conducted to analyze the effects of alleles {and haplotypes} on the development of bamboo spine. DNA typing of HLA class I and class II genes were performed by SSP method on primary ankylosing spondylitis patients with bamboo spine (n = 84) and spinal enthesopathy controls (n = 228).

Increased prevalence of polyomavirus BK viruria that correlates with thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on intensive immunosuppressive therapy.

The prevalence of polyomavirus BK (BKV) reactivation is high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on long-term immunosuppressants compared to normal population. However, only a few studies are available for the possible correlation of BKV reactivation and clinical manifestations in SLE patients. In the present study, we tried to correlate BKV viruria, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and medications in patients with SLE.

[Progress in the research of carbon nanotubes as drug carriers].

Research and development of new drug carriers are crucial to the research of drugs. Due to their unique hollow structure and nano-diameter, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be used as drug carriers. Functionalization of CNTs with peptides, proteins, nucleic acids or even drug molecules, the so obtained functionalized CNTs can be used as carriers to deliver bioactive molecules into cells without causing any toxicity.

Higher LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients with -308G/A polymorphism in promoter region of tumor necrosis factor: association with distinct A33/B58/Cw10 haplotypes.

To investigate the effects of TNF-alpha -308, -238 promoter polymorphisms on TNF-alpha transcription in B27 positive Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The possible relationship between polymorphisms, MHC antigens, and quantitative TNF-alpha mRNA expression were evaluated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) of TNF-alpha -308 and -238 were performed by PCR-amplification refractory mutation system method (PCR-ARMS) in sixty-seven B27-positive AS patients and 60 HLA-B27 positive healthy controls in Chinese.

Application of high-speed counter-current chromatography for the isolation of antiviral eremophilenolides from Ligularia atroviolacea.

Ligularia is mainly distributed in the western regions of China. Most of the species have been traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of hepatitis B, asthma, hemoptysis and pulmonary tuberculosis. In our continuation of research on antiviral components from traditional Chinese medicine, Ligularia atroviolacea was tested for inhibitory effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Theoretical studies on novel main group metallocene-like complexes involving planar hexacoordinate carbon eta6-B6C2- ligand.

The geometric structures for a novel series of main group 1 and 2 metal atom complexes with planar hexacoordinate carbon dianion (eta6-B6C)2- ligand, involving metallocene-like, K[(eta6-B6C)Ca]n(eta6-B6C)K (n = 1-3) and [(eta6-B6C)Ca]n(eta6-B6C)2- (n = 1, 2), as well as relative pyramidal [(eta6-B6C)M]i- (M = Na, K, and CaCl, i = 1; M = Ca, i = 0) and bipyramidal (eta6-B6C)(CaCl)2, have been optimized to be the local minima on the corresponding potential hypersurfaces at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory. Natural bond orbital analysis indicates that the electrostatic interaction between the metal ions and the planar hexacoordinate carbon B6C2- rings plays a crucial role in stabilizing these highly symmetrical complexes. The pi-d interaction in Ca-containing complexes also plays an important role in the stabilization of these molecules.

Quantitative measurement of HLA-B27 mRNA in patients with ankylosing spondylitis-- correlation with clinical activity.

Objective: To determine quantitative expression of HLA-B27 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the relationship to clinical disease activity.

Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using specific primers to amplify the post-splicing mRNA of HLA-B27 gene in patients with AS (N = 15), B27+ healthy controls (N = 20), and B27+ unaffected family members (N = 30). Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores and expression of B27 mRNA were determined simultaneously.

Time courses of vascular endothelial growth factor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expressions in aortas of atherosclerotic rats.

An increasing number of studies have focused on the expressions of growth factors and adhesion molecules in atherosclerotic lesions, which are confirmed to play central roles in angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). However, the difference of growth factor and adhesion molecule expression time courses has not been determined in vivo. This study aimed to determine the expression patterns and expression curves of ICAM-1 and VEGF in atherosclerotic rats during the time course.

[Study on the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in the patients with endometriosis].

Objective: To investigate the function of T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with endometriosis.

Methods: The levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum, and peritoneal fluid of 30 cases with endometriosis were detected using enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay and compared with those of 20 non-endometriosis cases. The expression of IL-2 and IL-6 in ectopic endometrial tissue from the patients with endometriosis and the endometrial tissues of 10 normal women was investigated by immunohistochemistry method.