Berberine improves central memory formation of CD8+ T cells: Implications for design of natural product-based vaccines

Berberine (BBR) as one of the most effective natural products has been increasingly used to treat various chronic diseases due to its immunosuppressive/tolerogenic activities. However, it is unknown if BBR can be applied without abrogating the efforts of vaccination. Here we show that priming of CD8+ T cells in the presence of BBR lead to improved central memory formation (Tcm) with substantially reduced effector proliferation, primarily orchestrated through activation of AMPK and Stat5. Tcm derived from vaccinated mice fed with BBR were able to adoptively transfer protective immunity to naïve recipients. Vaccination of BBR-fed mice conferred better memory protection against infection without losing immediate effector efficacy, suggesting appreciable benefits from using BBR in vaccination. Thus, our study may help to lay the groundwork for mechanistic understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of natural products and their potential use as adjuvant that allows the design of novel vaccines with more desirable properties.

Current situation of treatment and disposal of NORM solid waste in China / 中国辐射卫生

@#China has a huge cumulative storage of NORM solid waste, which urgently needs to be treated and disposed of in a scientific and standard way. Through analyzing the current status and technologies of treatment and disposal of NORM solid waste and relevant environmental radiation protection regulations and standards, we put forward suggestions on the improvement of regulations and standards and the applicability of treatment and disposal technologies, to provide a reference for the green and sustainable development of mineral resources in China.

Microbial isolation and degradation of selected haloalkanoic aliphatic acids by locally isolated bacteria: A review

The liberation of halogenated compounds by both natural processes and man-made activities has led to extensive contamination of the biosphere. Bioremediation via the dehalogenation process offers a sustainable way to eliminate such hazardous contaminants. Whereas, a large number of natural soil microorganisms (i.e., bacteria and fungi) that have been isolated are capable of degrading and detoxifying such contaminants, information on the preferred types of halogenated compounds that they catalyze is lacking. In this review, we discuss those microorganisms that have the potential to perform bioremediation of such environmental contaminants. We also present a method for isolating novel dehalogenase-producing microorganisms from cow dung.

Efficacy of Fuzzy c-Means Cluster Analysis of Naturally Occurring Radioisotope Datasets for Improved Groundwater Resource Management under the Continued Risk of Climate Change.

Global change is recognized as an additional potential stressor on already over-tapped groundwater systems. Mitigation of impacts due to global change requires planning for sustainable use of groundwater systems. Identifying and developing mitigation plans for sustainable use of groundwater resources require detailed knowledge of aquifer dynamics and temporal behavior for a higher level of certainty on which decisions can be made by a knowledgeable group of stakeholders. The principal hypothesis of this study was that a robust set of uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) decay series data from multiple wellfields representing different confining and geochemical conditions would cluster in a meaningful manner using a fuzzy c-means technique for better understanding of aquifer dynamics for management purposes. Three conceptual models were represented by the wellfields: 1) a well-confined artesian aquifer; 2) an area receiving recharge via a confining layer window; and 3) a regional recharge zone where the aquifer sub-crops near the land surface. These conceptual models were defined as C1, C2, and C3 according to the respective definitions. Eleven samples from the three wellfields were analyzed for ten parameters consisting of 238U and 232Th decay series isotopes. The data clustered successfully into three cluster types providing discrimination of behavior within each wellfield. Clusters C2 and C3 were characterized by the higher values of 222Rn, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 224Ra. Whereas, C1 was characterized by a higher values of 228Th, which was mostly absent from C2 and C3. The data clustered as expected between the well-confined, window, and regional recharge conceptual models with insights into individual well behavior. The data offer a robust conceptualization of aquifer dynamics in the regional area that may benefit decision makers.

Naturally occurring anti M complicating ABO grouping.

Anti M is considered a naturally occurring antibody that is usually active at temperatures below 37˚C and is thus of on clinical significance. This antibody, if present in an individual, can lead to a discrepancy between forward and reverse ABO grouping and thus creates diagnostic difficulties for blood bank staff. We report a case of a 58-year-old lady who had an unexpected reaction in reverse grouping due to anti M that posed a problem for us in the significance of such discrepancy in blood grouping.

Asbestosis Epidemics Caused by Non-occupational Neighborhood Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the Earth's crust, and it is not confined to the historic and current asbestos mining areas, but rather quite commonly encountered in certain geological environments across the world. The middle-west side of the Korean Peninsula (Chungnam province) has been composed of numerous talc and asbestos ore deposits derived from serpentine and dolomite. These areas have experienced epidemics of malignant mesothelioma and pleural plaques as a result of non-occupational "neighborhood" exposure and naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) exposure. However, asbestosis epidemics from environmental exposure were rare because asbestosis needs relatively high concentration of asbestos exposure. This review summarizes asbestosis epidemics which occurred in the residents who have lived past or current asbestos mining areas and natural in-place asbestos deposits (or asbestos-like mineral deposits) in the world, including Korean asbestosis endemics that occurred in Chungnam province, which has many historic asbestos mining. Also, this manuscript will describe effective public policies for managing NOA, minimizing potential hazards, and protecting public health from asbestos exposure.

Naturally-occurring Anti-Mia(a) in a 16-year-old Korean Man: A Case Study and a Review of the Literature / 대한진단검사의학회지

We report a case of naturally-occurring anti-Miltenberger (anti-Mia(a)) antibody in a 16-year-old man who had never been transfused before. During an operation for a trauma he received 2 units of packed red blood cells. He was negative on an antibody screening test, but positive a week after the surgery when an extended screening test was conducted using blood cells positive for Miltenberger III (Mi.III) phenotype. The Mi.III phenotype is a low incidence antigen among Caucasians, however, it is reported to be relatively high in incidence among people in South-East Asia. Anti-Mia(a) antibodies are clinically significant antibodies that cause hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and hemolytic disease of the newborns (HDNs). In addition, anti-Mia(a) has a high rate of incidence among Thais, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong Chinese. There has been no particular report on Koreans regarding the incidence of this antibody, it would therefore require further research on the Mi.III phenotype and anti-Mia(a).

A Case of Anti-Xga in a Young Man without Previous Transfusion / 대한진단검사의학회지

We report a case of naturally occuring anti-Xga in a 22-year-old man suffering from multiple traumas, who had no past history of transfusion or transplantation. The positive reaction was detected at 37 degrees Cin the antibody screening test with LISS/Coombs card (DiaMed AG, Cressier, Morat, Switzerland), which disappeared at the enzyme phase with the NaCl/Enzyme card (DiaMed AG). The Xga antigen was negative on his red cell surfaces. The unexpected antibody was finally identified as anti-Xga. We found four of twelve units of packed red blood cells that were compatible with the patient's serum. Anti-Xga is a very rare unexpected antibody in Korea, so we need more study in order to determine incidence and the significance of this antibody.