Brief introduction of current technologies in isolation of broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies.

HIV/AIDS has become a worldwide pandemic. Before an effective HIV-1 vaccine eliciting broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bnmAbs) is fully developed, passive immunization for prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection may alleviate the burden caused by the pandemic. Among HIV-1 infected individuals, about 20% of them generated cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies two to four years after infection, the details of which could provide knowledge for effective vaccine design.

The N-terminal pY33XL motif of CaPsy2 is critical for the function of protein phosphatase 4 in CaRad53 deactivation, DNA damage-induced filamentation and virulence in Candida albicans.

Protein phosphatase PP4 is composed of one catalytic subunit and one or two regulatory subunits and conserved in eukaryotic cells. The catalytic subunit CaPph3 forms a complex with the regulatory subunit CaPsy2, which dephosphorylates activated CaRad53 during adaptation to and recovery from MMS-mediated DNA damage. We show here that the N-terminal Y33A mutation of CaPsy2 blocks the interaction between CaPph3 and CaRad53, the deactivation of CaRad53 and the morphologic switch in recovery from genotoxic stress.

Characterization of ascites-derived tumor cells from an endometrial cancer patient.

Improved treatment outcomes for the endometrial cancer patient requires precision methods to investigate the biology of this disease and clinically relevant models to test treatment drugs. Hence, we applied a personalized platform to investigate whether in vitro and in vivo models could accurately predict effective treatment regimens. We successfully expanded ascites-derived tumor cells from an endometrial cancer patient with malignant ascites using ascites collected prior to chemotherapy treatment.

Construction of a recombinant pIRES2-EGFP-ARTS plasmid and its effect on LX-2 cells.

The inhibition of the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the induction of their apoptosis have been investigated as potential strategies to counteract the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Previous research has suggested that apoptosis‑related protein in the transforming growth factor‑β signaling pathway (ARTS) may serve a significant role in numerous cell types; however, little is known regarding its roles in HSCs. Total RNA was extracted from LX‑2 cells, and the human full‑length ARTS gene was obtained by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and inserted into the pIRES2‑EGFP cloning vector.

Toxicity of zearalenone on the intestines of pregnant sows and their offspring and alleviation with modified halloysite nanotubes.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of maternal exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) on the intestines of pregnant sows and offspring on postnatal days (PD) 1, 21 and 188. Eighteen pregnant sows (six per treatment) were fed a control diet (ZEN, 0.03 mg kg ), ZEN diet (ZEN, 2.

Neuroprotective effects of phenylethanoid glycosides in an model of Alzheimer's disease.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of phenylethanol glycosides (PhGs) on HO- and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ)-induced injury of PC12 cells as an model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The optimal induction conditions were established through screening of various incubation times and concentrations. PC12 cells were treated with 0.

Recombinant SjP40 protein enhances p27 promoter expression in hepatic stellate cells via an E2F1-dependent mechanism.

The p27 protein plays a critical role in cell cycle arrest. Our previous studies have demonstrated that recombinant P40 protein from Schistosoma japonicum (rSjP40) could induce G1 phase arrest of cell cycle. We, therefore, attempted to observe the effect of rSjP40 on p27 promoter activity in LX-2 cells and to explore its potential mechanisms in this study.

Hepatoprotective effects of extracts on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice.

To investigate the contents of secoiridoid compounds (i.e. sweroside, swertiamarin and gentiopicrin) from extracts, and the potential effects of extracts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl) induced liver injury in mice.

Egg antigen p40 of Schistosoma japonicum promotes senescence in activated hepatic stellate cells via SKP2/P27 signaling pathway.

Schistosomiasis is characterized by egg deposition, granulomatous inflammatory reaction and then subsequent hepatic fibrosis formation. Activated HSCs are regarded as the main effector cells in the progression of liver fibrosis and induction of senescence in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is vital to the reversion of hepatic fibrosis. Our previous work has showed that S.

Chinese 1 strain of Toxoplasma gondii excreted-secreted antigens negatively modulate Foxp3 via inhibition of the TGFßRII/Smad2/Smad3/Smad4 pathway.

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic intracellular parasite and is considered an important aetiological factor in the process of abortion, especially as occurs in early gestation. Chinese 1 strain of T. gondii is a dominant genotype prevalent in China.

Human amnion epithelial cells rescue cell death via immunomodulation of microglia in a mouse model of perinatal brain injury.

Background: Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) are clonogenic and have been proposed to reduce inflammatory-induced tissue injury. Perturbation of the immune response is implicated in the pathogenesis of perinatal brain injury; modulating this response could thus be a novel therapy for treating or preventing such injury. The immunomodulatory properties of hAECs have been shown in other animal models, but a detailed investigation of the effects on brain immune cells following injury has not been undertaken.

Environment-Friendly Carbon Quantum Dots/ZnFeO Photocatalysts: Characterization, Biocompatibility, and Mechanisms for NO Removal.

A highly efficient and environmentally-friendly oxidation process is always desirable for air purification. This study reported a novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/ZnFeO composite photocatalyst for the first time through a facile hydrothermal process. The CQDs/ZnFeO (15 vol %) composite demonstrates stronger transient photocurrent response, approximately 8 times higher than that of ZnFeO, indicating superior transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons and separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.

Preparation and evaluation of microemulsion‑based transdermal delivery of Cistanche tubulosa phenylethanoid glycosides.

The primary aim of the present study was to develop a novel microemulsion (ME) formulation to deliver phenylethanoid glycoside (PG) for use in skin lighteners and sunscreens. The oil phase was selected on the basis of drug solubility, while the surfactant and cosurfactant were screened and selected on the basis of their solubilizing capacity and the efficiency with which they formed MEs. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to evaluate ME regions and five formulations of oil‑in‑water MEs were selected as vehicles.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded Latent Membrane Protein 1 Upregulates Glucose Transporter 1 Transcription via the mTORC1/NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Accumulating evidence indicates that oncogenic viral protein plays a crucial role in activating aerobic glycolysis during tumorigenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are largely undefined. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is a transmembrane protein with potent cell signaling properties and has tumorigenic transformation property. Activation of NF-κB is a major signaling pathway mediating many downstream transformation properties of LMP1.

Soluble Egg Antigens of Schistosoma japonicum Induce Senescence of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells by Activation of the FoxO3a/SKP2/P27 Pathway.

Background: Liver fibrosis was viewed as a reversible process. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in the process of liver fibrosis. The induction of senescence of HSCs would accelerate the clearance of the activated HSCs.

The role of ZmWRKY4 in regulating maize antioxidant defense under cadmium stress.

WRKY transcription factors act as positive regulators in abiotic stress responses by activation of the cellular antioxidant systems. However, there are few reports on the response of WRKY genes to cadmium (Cd) stress. In this study, the role of maize ZmWRKY4 in regulating antioxidant enzymes in Cd stress was investigated.

The C-terminal sequences of porcine thrombin are active as antimicrobial peptides.

The C-terminal sequences of porcine thrombin encode a series of peptides with the characteristics of net positive charge and hydrophobicity, suggesting antimicrobial potential. In this study, we synthesized truncated C-terminal peptides to explore their antimicrobial potency and structure-activity relationship. The results showed that some peptides exerted antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with selectivity for microbial membranes.

Changes of gene expression in T lymphocytes following Golli‑MBP gene RNA interference.

The major cell types expressing Golli in the immune system are the T‑lineage cells. The aim of the current study was to investigate the changes of gene expression in T lymphocytes subsequent to downregulation of the Golli‑myelin basic protein (MBP) gene. RNA interference technology was used to suppress the expression of Golli‑MBP in Jurkat cells and DNA microarray techniques were applied to investigate the alterations of gene expression profiles.

Soluble egg antigens of Schistosoma japonicum induce senescence in activated hepatic stellate cells by activation of the STAT3/p53/p21 pathway.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Recent findings suggest that senescence of activated HSCs might limit the development of liver fibrosis. Based on previously observed anti-fibrotic effects of soluble egg antigens from Schistosoma japonicum in vitro, we hypothesized that SEA might play a crucial role in alleviating liver fibrosis through promoting senescence of activated HSCs.

Egg antigen p40 of Schistosoma japonicum promotes senescence in activated hepatic stellate cells by activation of the STAT3/p53/p21 pathway.

Liver fibrosis is a serious disease that is characterized by the excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a major source of ECM and serve as a key regulator in liver fibrogenesis. Inactivation of HSCs is essential for liver fibrotic regression.

Recombinant T2 RNase protein of Schistosoma japonicum inhibits expression of α-SMA in LX-2 cells.

Recombinant T2 RNase glycoprotein, which showed a certain degree of homology to Omega-1 from Schistosoma mansoni eggs, was expressed in adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum, but not in eggs of S. japonicum. The direct biological role of the recombinant T2 RNase protein in activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains unknown.

van der Waals epitaxy and photoresponse of two-dimensional CdSe plates.

Here we demonstrate the first growth of two-dimensional (2D) single-crystalline CdSe plates on mica substrates via van der Waals epitaxy. The as-synthesized 2D plates exhibit hexagonal, truncated triangular and triangular shapes with the lateral size around several microns. Photodetectors based on 2D CdSe plates present a fast response time of 24 ms, revealing that 2D CdSe is a promising building block for ultrathin optoelectronic devices.

An uncommon recurrence of an immature teratoma: A case report.

A 24-year-old female who was previously diagnosed with an immature, right ovarian teratoma was referred to The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University (Dalian, China) due to abdominal pain. The patient had previously undergone a laparotomy and right ovarian oophorectomy. Despite this, at 10 years post-surgery, the patient developed extensive abdominal metastases, in conjunction with elevated serum cancer antigen (CA)-125 and CA19-9 levels.

Evaluating the Impact of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells on Angiogenesis.

The effects of human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) on angiogenesis remain controversial. It is yet unknown if the presence of inflammation and/or gestational age of hAEC donors have an impact on angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the differences between term and preterm hAECs on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

CaTip41 regulates protein phosphatase 2A activity, CaRad53 deactivation and the recovery of DNA damage-induced filamentation to yeast form in Candida albicans.

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the checkpoint kinase CaRad53 is crucial for fungal cells in response to genotoxic stresses. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) CaPph3/CaPsy2 phosphatase complex is involved in CaRad53 dephosphorylation in Candida albicans. In view of the role of ScTip41/ScTap42 in regulating PP2A phosphatases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have explored the function of CaTip41 in C.