Carbon quantum dots modification reduces TiO nanoparticle toxicity in an aquatic food chain.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are emerging as a promising zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterial with the potential to enhance the catalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs). Although CQDs modification alters the physicochemical properties of TiO NPs, the impact on their toxicity has been rarely explored. In this study, we investigated the effects of CQDs doping on the toxicity, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of TiO NPs using a representative aquatic food chain comprising phytoplankton (Scenedesmus obliquus), zooplankton (Daphnia magna), and fish (Danio rerio).

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate in marine algae Chlorella sp.

The ocean is an important sink for perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs), but the toxic mechanisms of PFAAs to marine organisms have not been clearly studied. In this study, the growth rate, photosynthetic activity, oxidative stress and bioaccumulation were investigated using marine algae Chlorella sp. after the exposure of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate acid (PFOS).

Blockade of Kv1.3 potassium channel inhibits CD8 T cell-mediated neuroinflammation via PD-1/Blimp-1 signaling.

Kv1.3 potassium channel is considered as a target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), since Kv1.3 blockade suppresses memory T cell activation including cytotoxic CD8 T cells.

A Kv1.3 channel-specific blocker alleviates neurological impairment through inhibiting T-cell activation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological autoimmune disorder characterized by mistaken attacks of inflammatory cells against the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in demyelination and axonal damage. Kv1.3 channel blockers can inhibit T-cell activation and have been designed for MS therapy.

Kv1.3 channel blocker (ImKTx88) maintains blood-brain barrier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background: Disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and subsequent infiltration of auto-reactive T lymphocytes are major characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Kv1.3 channel blockers are demonstrated potential therapeutic effects on MS patients and EAE models, maybe via reducing activation of T cells.

[Anti-hepatofibrosis effect of fasudil hydrochloride on Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice].

Objective: To investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of fasudil hydrochloride on Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice, and the effect of fasudil hydrochloride on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: Thirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups viz, normal control group (NC group), infection group, and experiment group. Mice in both infection group and experiment group were infected with (14:2) cercariae of S japonicum.