Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis and hyperglycemia-induced renal injury in mice.

Background: Hyperglycemia is a risk factor for impaired renal function, including cellular metabolic disturbance, apoptosis, inflammation, and histologic lesion. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic targeting of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in hyperglycemia-induced podocyte dysfunction and renal damage.

Methods: Cell viability and apoptosis of podocytes were assessed through CCK-8 and TUNEL staining, respectively, following exposure to normal glucose (NG; 5 mM), high glucose (HG; 30 mM), or treatment with Cdk5 inhibitors (trans-resveratrol, myricetin, salvianolic acid A, and BML-259).

Super-Resolution Reconstruction of CT Images Based on Multi-scale Information Fused Generative Adversarial Networks.

The popularization and widespread use of computed tomography (CT) in the field of medicine evocated public attention to the potential radiation exposure endured by patients. Reducing the radiation dose may lead to scattering noise and low resolution, which can adversely affect the radiologists' judgment. Hence, this paper introduces a new network called PANet-UP-ESRGAN (PAUP-ESRGAN), specifically designed to obtain low-dose CT (LDCT) images with high peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and high resolution (HR).

Urban scene segmentation model based on multi-scale shuffle features.

The monitoring of urban land categories is crucial for effective land resource management and urban planning. To address challenges such as uneven parcel distribution, difficulty in feature extraction and loss of image information in urban remote sensing images, this study proposes a multi-scale feature shuffle urban scene segmentation model. The model utilizes a deep convolutional encoder-decoder network with BlurPool instead of MaxPool to compensate for missing translation invariance.

Plant leaf veins coupling feature representation and measurement method based on DeepLabV3.

The plant leaf veins coupling feature representation and measurement method based on DeepLabV3+ is proposed to solve problems of slow segmentation, partial occlusion of leaf veins, and low measurement accuracy of leaf veins parameters. Firstly, to solve the problem of slow segmentation, the lightweight MobileNetV2 is selected as the extraction network for DeepLabV3+. On this basis, the Convex Hull-Scan method is applied to repair leaf veins.

Contribution of lncRNA CASC8, CASC11, and PVT1 Genetic Variants to the Susceptibility of Coronary Heart Disease.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between lncRNA CASC8, CASC11, and plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1). genetic variants and coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility among a Chinese Han population. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by Agena MassARRAY platform among 464 CHD patients and 510 healthy controls.

High-efficiency enrichment enables identification of aptamers to circulating Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of the deadliest human malaria. New molecules are needed that can specifically bind to erythrocytes that are infected with P. falciparum for diagnostic purposes, to disrupt host-parasite interactions, or to deliver chemotherapeutics.

Efficacy of FLU-v, a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine, in a randomized phase IIb human influenza challenge study.

FLU-v, developed by PepTcell (SEEK), is a peptide vaccine aiming to provide a broadly protective cellular immune response against influenza A and B. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center, phase IIb efficacy and safety trial was conducted. One hundred and fifty-three healthy individuals 18-55 years of age were randomized to receive one or two doses of adjuvanted FLU-v or adjuvanted placebo subcutaneously on days -43 and -22, prior to intranasal challenge on day 0 with the A/California/04/2009/H1N1 human influenza A challenge virus.

Prevalence and diagnosis of sesame allergy in children with IgE-mediated food allergy.

Sesame allergy is estimated to affect 17% of children with IgE-mediated food allergy, and often co-occurs with peanut/tree nut sensitization and allergy. Sesame-specific IgE levels may have utility in the clinical management of these patients.

Harmonization study between three laboratories for expression of malaria vaccine clinical trial IgG antibody ELISA data in µg/mL.

Background: The ability to report vaccine-induced IgG responses in terms of µg/mL, as opposed arbitrary units (AU), enables a more informed interpretation of the magnitude of the immune response, and better comparison between vaccines targeting different antigens. However, these interpretations rely on the accuracy of the methodology, which is used to generate ELISA data in µg/mL. In a previous clinical trial of a vaccine targeting the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) from Plasmodium falciparum, three laboratories (Oxford, NIH and WRAIR) reported ELISA data in µg/mL that were correlated but not concordant.

IgE testing can predict food allergy status in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: Diagnosing food allergy in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is complicated by their high rate of asymptomatic sensitization to foods, which can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary food avoidance.

Objective: We sought to determine whether food-specific (sIgE) or component immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels could predict allergic status in patients with moderate to severe AD and elevated total IgE.

Methods: Seventy-eight children (median age, 10.

Underweight, overweight, and obesity as independent risk factors for hospitalization in adults and children from influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Background: The relationship between obesity and risk of complications described during the 2009 influenza pandemic is poorly defined for seasonal influenza and other viral causes of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: An observational cohort of hospitalized and outpatient participants with ILI was conducted in six hospitals in Mexico. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for influenza and other common respiratory pathogens.

Mechanistic correlates of clinical responses to omalizumab in the setting of oral immunotherapy for milk allergy.

Background: In our recent clinical trial, the addition of omalizumab to oral immunotherapy (OIT) for milk allergy improved safety, but no significant clinical benefit was detected.

Objective: We sought to investigate mechanisms by which omalizumab modulates immunity in the context of OIT and to identify baseline biomarkers that predict subgroups of patients most likely to benefit from omalizumab.

Methods: Blood was obtained at baseline and multiple time points during a placebo-controlled trial of OIT for milk allergy in which subjects were randomized to receive omalizumab or placebo.

Country of residence is associated with distinct inflammatory biomarker signatures in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Inflammation and coagulation biomarkers are independent predictors of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. The impact of country of residence on these biomarkers is unknown and was investigated in persons at similar stages of HIV infection.

Methods: Cryopreserved plasma specimens were analysed from 267 ART-naive patients with CD4 cell counts <100 cells/μl from Mexico (=124) and South Africa (=143).

Safety and Immunogenicity of a rAd35-EnvA Prototype HIV-1 Vaccine in Combination with rAd5-EnvA in Healthy Adults (VRC 012).

Background: VRC 012 was a Phase I study of a prototype recombinant adenoviral-vector serotype-35 (rAd35) HIV vaccine, the precursor to two recently published clinical trials, HVTN 077 and 083. On the basis of prior evaluation of multiclade rAd5 HIV vaccines, Envelope A (EnvA) was selected as the standard antigen for a series of prototype HIV vaccines to compare various vaccine platforms. In addition, prior studies of rAd5-vectored vaccines suggested pre-existing human immunity may be a confounding factor in vaccine efficacy.

Redefined clinical features and diagnostic criteria in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder typically caused by homozygous mutations. It classically presents with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and autoimmunity that primarily targets endocrine tissues; hypoparathyroidism and adrenal insufficiency are most common. Developing any two of these classic triad manifestations establishes the diagnosis.

Effect of red blood cell variants on childhood malaria in Mali: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Red blood cell variants protect African children from severe falciparum malaria. However, their individual and interactive effects on mild disease and parasite density, and their modification by age-dependent immunity, are poorly understood. In this study, we address these knowledge gaps in a prospective cohort study of malaria risk and Plasmodium falciparum densities in Malian children.

Treatment of W. bancrofti (Wb) in HIV/Wb coinfections in South India.

Background: The disease course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often altered by existing or newly acquired coincident infections.

Methodology/principal Findings: To assess the influence of pre-existing Wuchereria bancrofti infection on HIV progression, we performed a case-controlled treatment study of HIV positive individuals with (FIL+) or without (FIL-) W. bancrofti infection.

[Effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on insulin signal transduction pathway in hippocampal neurons of high-glucose-fed rats].

Objective: To study the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on GSKbeta/IDE signal transduction pathway and Abeta protein secretion in hippocampal neurons of high glucose-treated rats.

Method: Hippocampal neurons of 24 h-old newly born SD rats were primarily cultured, inoculated in culture medium under different conditions, and then divided into the normal group, the high glucose group, the LiCl group and the Rb1 group. After being cultured for 72 h, the expressions of their phosphorylated GSK3beta, total GSK3beta and IDE protein were detected by Western blotting analysis.

Ginsenoside Rb1 protects hippocampal neurons from high glucose-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting GSK3β-mediated CHOP induction.

Ginsenoside Rb1 is generally recognized as one of the principal bioactive ingredients in ginseng and shows neuroprotective effects in various neurons. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is considered to play an important role in numerous neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, glucogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) was reported to regulate ER stress-induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in neuronal cells.

Bone density and fractures in autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndrome.

Purpose: Autosomal Dominant Hyper IgE Recurrent Infection Syndrome (AD-HIES) is caused by mutations in STAT3 and characterized by eczema, recurrent bacterial infections, and skeletal and connective tissue abnormalities. To further understand the minimal trauma fractures of AD-HIES, we examined bone mineral density (BMD) and laboratory markers of bone turnover.

Methods: Patients with AD-HIES enrolled in a prospective natural history study were examined with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans and laboratory studies of bone metabolism.

Effects of exposure to high glucose on primary cultured hippocampal neurons: involvement of intracellular ROS accumulation.

Recent studies showed that hyperglycemia is the main trigger of diabetic cognitive impairment and can cause hippocampus abnormalities. The goal of this study is to explore the effects of different concentrations of high glucose for different exposure time on cell viability as well as intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Hippocampal neurons were exposed to different concentrations of high glucose (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mM) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h.

Immunological and virological mechanisms of vaccine-mediated protection against SIV and HIV.

A major challenge for the development of a highly effective AIDS vaccine is the identification of mechanisms of protective immunity. To address this question, we used a nonhuman primate challenge model with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). We show that antibodies to the SIV envelope are necessary and sufficient to prevent infection.

GATA2 deficiency: a protean disorder of hematopoiesis, lymphatics, and immunity.

Haploinsufficiency of the hematopoietic transcription factor GATA2 underlies monocytopenia and mycobacterial infections; dendritic cell, monocyte, B, and natural killer (NK) lymphoid deficiency; familial myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and Emberger syndrome (primary lymphedema with MDS). A comprehensive examination of the clinical features of GATA2 deficiency is currently lacking. We reviewed the medical records of 57 patients with GATA2 deficiency evaluated at the National Institutes of Health from January 1, 1992, to March 1, 2013, and categorized mutations as missense, null, or regulatory to identify genotype-phenotype associations.