Molting is of great importance for the survival and development of nematodes. Nematode astacins (NAS), a large family of zinc metalloproteases, have been proposed as novel anthelmintic targets due to their multiple roles in biological processes of parasitic nematodes. In this study, we report a well conserved
"Like poles repel, unlike poles attract" is a fundamental principle of magnetism commonly used in instantaneous haptic interaction. Through the assembly design of basic five magnets, MagneChase creates a potential barrier between repulsion and attraction. This allows MagneChase modules to change the direction of their interacting force when brought closer. Applying this interaction principle, we provide application examples of kinetic roleplay to enhance tangible play experiences. A preliminary user study suggests that children were captivated by the magnetic phenomenon and derived pleasure from engaging with MagneChase. We also discuss the potential for MagneChase as a tangible kit to promote enlightenment learning in gameplay.
Abstract Confirmation of an imported case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in China triggered intensive contact tracing and mandatory monitoring. Using a hotline and surveillance video footage was effective for tracing all 110 identified contacts. Contact monitoring detected no secondary transmission of infection in China.
To improve the gene transfection efficiency mediated by chitosan-g-stearic acid (CS) micelles, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PG) was incorporated into a CS-based gene delivery system. CS/PG/pDNA complexes were prepared by ionic interaction. CS and PEGylated CS (PCS) micelles were introduced to prepare binary complexes for use as controls. CS/PG/pDNA complexes possessed similar sizes and presented as irregular spheroids in shape. The incorporation of PG into CS/pDNA complexes did not affect the ability of CS to compact pDNA and also showed a protective effect against DNase I based degradation of pDNA. Importantly, PG could increase gene transfection efficiency, which was also affected by the mixing methods used for the preparation of CS/PG/pDNA ternary complexes. The transfection efficiencies mediated by CS/PG/pDNA complexes against HEK293 and EC-1 cells reached up to 40.8% and 11.6%, respectively, which were much higher than those of CS/pDNA complexes (1.3% and 4.0%) and PCS/pDNA complexes (0.8% and 2.4%). In addition, the incorporation of PG into CS/pDNA complexes significantly enhanced cellular uptake in HEK293 and EC-1 cells and, additionally, improved endosomal escape and intracellular vector unpacking. However, the incorporation of PG reduced the cellular uptake of CS/PG/pDNA complexes in macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). It was further demonstrated that, in addition to a nonspecific charge-mediated binding to cell membranes, a γ-PGA-specific receptor-mediated pathway was involved in the internalization of CS/PG/pDNA complexes. These results indicated that PG played multiple important roles in enhancing the transfection efficiency of CS/PG/pDNA complexes.
OBJECTIVE To observe the improvement of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture on depression-like behavior in rats with post-stroke depression (PSD), and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS A total of 48 SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Tongdu Tiaoshen group and a non-meridian-non-acupoint group, 12 rats in each group. In the the model group, the Tongdu Tiaoshen group and the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, PSD model was established by the compound method of cerebral medial arterial occlusion, chronic unpredictable mild stress and isolation. Acupuncture was applied at Dazhui(GV 14), Shuigou(GV 26), Baihui(GV 20) and Shenting (GV 24) in the Tongdu Tiaoshen group, and at the bilateral dorsum hollows between 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones of the forelegs in the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, needles were retained for 40 min in the both groups, once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Before model establishment and after intervention, the ethology indice of Zea Longa neurological behavioral score, open-field test and sucrose preference test were evaluated in the 4 groups. The levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), Beclin1 and LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰin the CA1 region of hippocampus were detected by western blot. The expressions of Beclin1, LC3B-ⅡmRNA in the CA1 region of hippocampus were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS After model established, compared with the sham-operation group, the Zea Longa neurological behavioral scores were increased (P<0.05), the scores of horizontal and vertical motion of the open-field test and the consumption of sucrose solution were decreased in the model group, the Tongdu Tiaoshen group and the non-meridian-non-acupoint group (P<0.05). After intervention, compared with the sham-operation group, the Zea Longa neurological behavioral score, the expression of Beclin1, LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ and LC3B-Ⅱin the CA1 region of hippocampus were increased (P<0.05), the scores of horizontal and vertical motion of the open-field test, the consumption of sucrose solution and the expression of PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR were decreased in the model group (P<0.05). After intervention, compared with the model group and the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the Zea Longa neurological behavioral score, the expression of Beclin1, LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ and LC3B-Ⅱin the CA1 region of hippocampus were decreased (P<0.05), the scores of horizontal and vertical motion of the open-field test, the consumption of sucrose solution and the expression of PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR were increased in the Tongdu Tiaoshen group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture can effectively improve the depression-like behavior in PSD rats, its mechanism may relate to the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and the inhibition of hippocampal neuron autophagy.
Abstract Probiotic Bacillales have been shown effective in controlling pathogens. In particular, live probiotic bacteria are thought to improve the composition of gastrointestinal microbiota, and to reduce pathogen colonization. However, how probiotics regulate immune responses and protect the host from parasitic infection remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether Bacillales can be used against Haemonchus contortus , a parasitic nematode that infects small ruminants in sheep and goats worldwide. Using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, we found that Bacillales was highly depleted in the abomasal microbiota of sheep infected with H. contortus . We constructed a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain (rBS CotB-HcG ) that express glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of H. contortus (HcGAPDH) on its spore surface. However, mice orally administrated with the rBS CotB-HcG strain showed strong Th1-dominated immune responses; and sheep administrated per os with rBS CotB-HcG showed increased proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, elevated anti-HcGAPDH IgG levels in sera, and higher anti-HcGAPDH sIgA levels in intestinal mucus. In addition, treatment of H. contortus infected sheep with rBS CotB-HcG (Hc+rBS CotB-HcG ) promoted the abundance of probiotic species in the abomasal microbiota; it also improved the average weight gain of the sheep by 27.7%. These Hc+rBS CotB-HcG sheep have reduced number of eggs per gram of feces (by 84.1%) and worm burdens (by 71.5%), with alleviated abomasal damage by H. contortus . Collectively, our data demonstrate the protective roles of CotB-HcGAPDH-expressing B. subtilis spores against H. contortus infection, suggesting a potential value of using this probiotic-based strategy in controlling parasitic nematodes of socioeconomic importance. Importance Sequencing of the infected sheep ’s stomach flora revealed potential probiotics that could control H. contortus infection, and further genetically engineered recombinant probiotic spores expressing parasite protein, and validated their good immunogenicity in a mouse model. In the sheep infection model, the recombinant probiotics have proven to be effective against parasite infections.
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