Publications by authors named "Wen-tao Ma"
Article Synopsis
- Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting humans and animals, and its prevalence is rising in areas like Datong City, China, due to ecological changes and intensified agriculture.
- A study utilized Bayesian spatiotemporal models to track high-risk clusters of human brucellosis in Datong from 2005 to 2020, revealing a trend of infection spreading west and south.
- Findings show that urbanization, economic factors, and climate conditions negatively correlate with brucellosis incidence, while animal husbandry practices significantly influence its distribution, providing critical data for developing effective control strategies.
Article Synopsis
- - This study investigates the effectiveness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in identifying pathogens in immunocompromised patients using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) during hospitalization.
- - Researchers analyzed data from 46 patients, categorizing them into deterioration and improvement groups based on their outcomes, and found that mNGS was significantly better at identifying various pathogens compared to traditional culture methods.
- - The use of mNGS not only enhanced pathogen detection but also allowed for more personalized antibiotic treatments, leading to reduced reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients who improved.
Article Synopsis
- A study explored a new heparin-free anticoagulation strategy in patients with hemorrhage risk undergoing veno-venous ECMO for acute respiratory failure, assessing outcomes from 2012 to 2020.
- Out of 70 patients who received an initial low heparin dose, 25 survived while 45 did not, with survival linked to lower baseline SOFA scores and higher platelet counts shortly after ECMO initiation.
- Complications such as thrombosis occurred in 54.3% of cases, but the study found no significant differences in complications between survivors and non-survivors, indicating the need for further investigation into anticoagulation management in these patients.
Article Synopsis
- The study introduces a method using phosphine to direct ruthenium-catalyzed alkylation, specifically targeting the C8 position of naphthalenes with alkenes.
- This technique enables the creation of a diverse range of C8-alkyl substituted 1-naphthphosphines, which are beneficial in chemical reactions.
- These new compounds demonstrated superior performance compared to typical commercial phosphines in the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling process involving aryl bromides and alkylboronic acids.
Article Synopsis
- Cytokine storm is an excessive immune response where high levels of cytokines are released, often triggered by acute infections, affecting multiple cell types and varying across different diseases.
- This review discusses the biological mechanisms that lead to cytokine storms in infectious diseases and explores treatment strategies aimed at managing these responses from both the host’s and the pathogen’s viewpoints.
- Research suggests that targeted therapies can reduce tissue damage and help clear infections, with advancements in "multi-omics" profiling expected to improve treatment strategies for cytokine storms across various diseases.*
Comparative ultrastructure of trichomes on various organs of Rosa roxburghii.
Microsc Res Tech
September 2021
Article Synopsis
- Chestnut rose (R. roxburghii) is a valuable crop in China, known for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, but varying trichome (hair-like structures) development among different cultivars affects fruit processing and consumption.
- The study uses transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to analyze the ultrastructure of trichomes on the stem, sepal, and fruit of two cultivars, R. roxburghii (RR) and a smooth-fruit variant (RRE).
- Results show differences in the anatomy of trichomes, such as thicker cell walls and liquid-filled spaces in RR's stem prickles, along with notable structural variations in sepal trichomes, revealing potential implications for cultivation and processing methods
Article Synopsis
- Goat milk plays a crucial role in the growth of kids by offering beneficial bacteria, which are essential for their early development.
- This study examined the microbiota of colostrum and mature milk from 30 Saanen dairy goats, revealing that mature milk has greater microbial diversity than colostrum.
- Findings indicate that the composition of milk microbiota varies significantly during different lactation stages, highlighting the need for further research in dairy microbiology.
Article Synopsis
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involves severe lung injury characterized by inflammation, cell death, and scarring, and this study focused on the role of a molecule called MALAT1 in ARDS.
- Researchers found that MALAT1 and a protein known as ICAM-1 were increased, while a microRNA called miR-150-5p was decreased in patients with ARDS and lab models, indicating a relationship between these molecules.
- By manipulating MALAT1 and miR-150-5p in cellular experiments, the study revealed that targeting MALAT1 could reduce cell death and inflammation, suggesting that it may serve as a promising new treatment avenue for ARDS.
Article Synopsis
- Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a serious disease affecting goats, caused by a specific bacterium that leads to high rates of illness and death, resulting in major economic losses for goat farmers worldwide.
- The exact process by which CCPP causes damage in goats is not fully understood, but new research indicates that the accumulation of neutrophils, a type of immune cell, plays a key role in the lung damage seen in affected goats.
- The study found that the cytokine IL-17 is crucial in this process, as it drives neutrophils to the lungs and stimulates their production from lung cells, suggesting that targeting IL-17 could be an effective treatment strategy for CCPP.
Article Synopsis
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a crucial component of the immune response with roles in antiviral actions and inflammation, and this study aimed to create a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against caprine IFN-γ using mice.
- The researchers produced recombinant caprine IFN-γ in E. coli and successfully developed a hybridoma (designated as 2C) that secretes mAb, which specifically recognizes the IFN-γ protein, as confirmed through various assays.
- The developed mAb 2C is effective in detecting IFN-γ in goats, showing promise for understanding its expression during contagious ecthyma infections.
Article Synopsis
- Viral infections are a major health issue globally, leading to severe illness and death, and provoke complex immune responses from the host to combat the virus.
- Interleukin (IL)-17 is a key cytokine involved in these responses, showing both protective and harmful effects during viral infections; it enhances immune responses but can also worsen the illness.
- Understanding the dual role of IL-17 is crucial for developing targeted immunotherapy, emphasizing that treatments need to be customized based on the specific virus and the infection context.
Article Synopsis
- The human body hosts a complex community of microbes known as commensal microbiota, which plays a crucial role in influencing overall health and disease processes.
- Recent studies show that viral infections, a significant public health concern, interact closely with this microbiota, affecting both the body and the viruses.
- The balance of commensal microbiota can be disrupted by viruses, leading to dysbiosis, which may further impact viral infectivity and the host's health.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on purifying caprine IL-17A (cIL-17A) to create a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) for research on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
- Researchers cloned the cIL-17A coding sequence from goat blood cells and produced a recombinant fusion protein, which was used to immunize mice for antibody generation.
- The resulting monoclonal antibody H8 was effective in recognizing both the recombinant and natural forms of cIL-17A, suggesting its potential use for studying IL-17-related diseases.
Article Synopsis
- - Organisms have developed mechanisms to protect their DNA, but damage can occur, necessitating DNA repair pathways, especially for double-strand breaks in eukaryotes like mammals.
- - There are two main repair pathways: nonhomologous DNA end joining, which can lead to errors, and homologous recombination, which is more precise but less efficient.
- - The text discusses strategies to enhance the efficiency of homologous directed repair by manipulating the cell cycle, boosting key proteins for homologous recombination, and choosing suitable donor DNA.
The Role of Monocytes and Macrophages in Autoimmune Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.
Front Immunol
September 2020
Article Synopsis
- Monocytes and macrophages are crucial for the innate immune system, helping to manage inflammation and tissue repair while also influencing autoimmune diseases.
- These immune cells are often found in diseased tissues and may be linked to the progression of autoimmune disorders, but their exact role—whether they cause or worsen the disease—is not fully understood.
- Understanding the various types of monocytes and macrophages involved in different autoimmune conditions may pave the way for better treatment options in the future.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates how exosomes from M2 macrophages carrying microRNA-328 (miR-328) may act as biomarkers in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and explores their regulatory roles in the disease by targeting the gene FAM13A.
- - Researchers used microarrays and various assays to show that miR-328 levels increase while FAM13A levels decrease in PF rats, and that overexpression of miR-328 or silencing of FAM13A promotes the proliferation of pulmonary interstitial fibroblasts and enhances PF progression.
- - The findings suggest that M2 macrophage-derived exosomes with miR-328 contribute significantly to PF exacerbation by downregulating FAM13A and promoting fibro
Article Synopsis
- The gut microbiota, consisting of over a trillion microbes, forms a mutually beneficial relationship with mammals, contributing to immune system development and pathogen defense.
- The microbiota utilizes several mechanisms to enhance the innate immune response, including the secretion of antimicrobial peptides and activation of the inflammasome.
- Key immune molecules like IL-22, IL-17, and IL-10 are produced in response to these interactions, showcasing the gut microbiota's role in protecting the host from infections.
Immunological abnormalities in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.
Clin Sci (Lond)
March 2019
Article Synopsis
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease primarily affecting women, marked by high levels of anti-mitochondrial antibodies and liver damage.
- Immune cells, especially CD4 T cells, play a vital role in the disease's progression by promoting inflammation and damaging bile ducts, which leads to serious conditions like liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
- Research highlights the complexity of immune responses in PBC, suggesting that targeted immunotherapy could be an effective treatment, with different approaches needed based on the disease's stages.
Article Synopsis
- Gut microbiota and bacterial translocation are key factors influencing immune responses and tolerance, particularly relating to autoimmune conditions, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
- Using a specific mouse model of autoimmune cholangitis, the study found that changes in gut microbiota composition can reduce immune-related damage when antibiotics are administered.
- Additionally, mice lacking toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) experienced worsened conditions due to compromised gut barrier function, highlighting the role of gut permeability and microbiota translocation in liver damage associated with the disease.
Article Synopsis
- CXCR3 is a receptor for specific chemokines that influences T cell development and chemotaxis, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
- In a study using mice with IL-2 receptor deficiency, higher levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 were found in the liver and colon, correlating with increased CXCR3 expression on T cells.
- Deleting CXCR3 enhanced liver inflammation but reduced colitis symptoms, showing that CXCR3 plays a distinct role in modulating T cell responses based on the targeted organ in autoimmune diseases.
Article Synopsis
- Contagious pustular dermatitis is a zoonotic disease linked to the orf virus, causing major economic issues during pandemic outbreaks.
- A study tested blood samples from 628 healthy goats in China and found the orf virus present in some of them.
- The virus from these asymptomatic goats was shown to be infectious, causing typical symptoms in uninfected goats, indicating that healthy-looking animals can still carry the virus and contribute to the disease's spread.
Article Synopsis
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease that leads to serious complications like liver failure due to the destruction of bile ductules.
- The research introduced a new mouse model for PBC by immunizing with bile duct protein, showing that this approach effectively disrupts immune tolerance and mimics key aspects of the disease.
- The findings revealed enhanced immune responses, such as increased T cell activity and the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies, which could provide insights into the mechanisms of PBC.
Article Synopsis
- Autoimmune diseases arise from a mix of genetic factors and environmental influences that affect immune regulatory genes, often involving epigenetics.
- Both types of adaptive immunity—humoral and cellular—contribute to the development of these diseases, with autoantibodies often appearing before symptoms manifest.
- While autoantibodies can indicate the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease, their exact role in disease progression remains unclear, highlighting the need to understand additional factors that might trigger the transition from preclinical to clinical stages.
Article Synopsis
- Molecular mechanisms controlling liver regeneration play a crucial role in various liver disorders, with Kupffer cells and natural killer (NK) cells being essential for this process.
- The study highlights that deletion of PTEN leads to M2-like polarization in Kupffer cells, which hampers NK cell activation but promotes hepatocyte proliferation through the release of growth factors.
- Targeting PTEN in Kupffer cells may offer new strategies to modify liver regeneration in patients who have undergone liver resection.
Article Synopsis
- CXCR3 is a pleiotropic receptor involved in immune processes like T cell differentiation and chemotaxis, especially significant in autoimmune cholangitis.
- Researchers used a CXCR3 knockout mouse model to study its role in autoimmune cholangitis, revealing that CXCR3 deficiency leads to worse disease outcomes and increased effector memory T cells.
- Gene analysis showed that CXCR3-deficient CD8 T cells have a strong pro-inflammatory profile, suggesting potential pathways for therapeutic interventions in autoimmune liver diseases.