Enhanced ferromagnetic properties achieved by F-doping in BaFe1-xMnxO3-δ.

Tailoring the crystal structure, spin, and charge state of perovskite oxides through fluorine ion doping is an attractive and effective strategy, which could significantly modify the physical and chemical properties of base oxides. Here, BaFe1-xMnxO3-δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) and BaFe1-xMnxO2.9-δF0.1 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3), belonging to 6H-type BaFeO3-δ, are prepared and investigated to evaluate the impact of F- doping. The distortion of crystal structure and the reduced average valence of Mn and Fe confirm the preference for F- substitution in the hexagonal layer, which are found as the key factors for the improved magnetic properties, including ferromagnetic ordering temperature, coercive force, and remanent magnetization. Moreover, the valence reduction of B-site ions and the increased resistance distinctly indicate the expense of electron hole via fluorine doping. This work describes the adjustment of crystal structure, electronic configuration, and ferromagnetic performance by simple F- doping, which provides a prospect for practical magnetic materials.

The efficacy of a device-based approach to microorganism disinfection and protein removal for orthokeratology lenses in varied clinical circumstances.

PURPOSE: RigidCare is an electrolysis-based device that recently obtained approval from the US's FDA to sterilise microorganisms and remove proteins for orthokeratology (O-K) lenses. The study was conducted to investigate the device's performance in varied clinical circumstances. METHODS: Trial lenses and private lenses were employed by O-K lens wearers from five hospitals for an evaluation of disinfection and sterilisation and an assessment of protein removal, respectively. Menicon multipurpose solution and protein remover were selected for use with the control group. Following the instructions, pre-cleaning lens samples, post-cleaning lens samples and residual solution samples of trial lenses of the experimental and control groups were collected for microorganism examinations by an experienced third-party testing organisation. The levels of protein deposition for these two approaches were rated by senior O-K experts. Categorical variables were analysed using statistical tests, such as the chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The microbial positive rate detected from the pre-cleaning and post-cleaning lens samples and the residual solution of the trial lenses for the experimental and control group was 4/76 vs 1/74 (P = 0.37), 1/76 vs 0/74 (P = 1.00) and 0/76 vs 8/74 (P = 0.006), respectively. Following protein removal, the experimental group exhibited a significantly higher overall proportion of lenses rated as 'clean' or with a 'mild deposit' (96.4 %, 79/82) compared to the control group (85.7 %, 66/77), with a significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This multi-center study demonstrated that RigidCare exhibited superior efficacy in disinfection, sterilisation and protein removal as compared to Menicon multipurpose solution and protein remover.

Integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA seq to reveal the prognostic model and tumor microenvironment remodeling mechanisms of cuproptosis-related genes in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been a great deal interest in cuproptosis, a form of programmed cell death that is mediated by copper. The specific mechanism through which cuproptosis-related genes impact the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. METHODS: Here, we combined bulk RNA-seq with scRNA-seq to investigate the CRGs functions within CRC. A number of 61 cuproptosis-related genes were chosen for further investigation. Nine prognostic CRGs were identified by Lasso-Cox. The RiskScore was created and the patients have been separated into two different groups, low- and high-RiskScore group. The CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, MCP-counter, TIDE, and IPS have been employed to score the TME, and GSVA and GSEA were utilized to evaluate the pathway within the both groups. Further, we used cell communication analysis to explore the tumor microenvironment remodeling mechanisms of the COX17 and DLAT based on scRNA-seq. Finally, we used IHC and qPCR to validate the expression of COX17 and DLAT. RESULTS: AOC3, CCS, CDKN2A, COX11, COX17, COX19, DLD, DLAT, and PDHB have been recognized as prognostic CRGs in CRC. The high-risk group exhibited the worst prognosis, an immune-deficient phenotype, and were more resistant to ICB treatment. Further, scRNA-seq analysis revealed that elevated expression of COX17 in CD4-CXCL13Tfh could contribute to the immune evasion while DLAT had the opposite effect, reversing T cell exhaustion and inducing pyroptosis to boost CD8-GZMKT infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The current investigation has developed a prognostic framework utilizing cuproptosis-related genes that is highly effective in predicting prognosis, TME type, and response to immunotherapy in CRC patients. Furthermore, our study reveals a novel finding that elevated levels of COX17 expression within CD4-CXCL13 T cells in CRC mediates T cell exhaustion and Treg infiltration, while DLAT has been found to facilitate the anti-tumor immunity activation through the T cell exhaustion reversal and the induction of pyroptosis.

Comparison of anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in localizing horizontal rectus muscle insertions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the viability and precision of measuring the distance from the limbus to extraocular muscle insertion using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and panoramic ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) before and after strabismus surgery. METHODS: We recruited primary strabismus patients and measured the limbus-insertion distance by AS-OCT and UBM preoperatively, 2 weeks, and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Values were also measured using callipers intraoperatively before and after the planned procedures. Preoperative AS-OCT and UBM values were compared to intraoperative calliper measurements as the gold standard. Postoperative AS-OCT and UBM values were compared to the new postoperative limbus-insertion distance. The limit of agreement deemed clinically acceptable was defined as 1 mm. RESULTS: A total of 85 horizontal muscles of 40 patients, including 48 lateral rectus muscles and 37 medial rectus muscles, were analysed. Primary muscles could be successfully detected by AS-OCT (95%) and UBM (100%). At 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, the new rectus muscle attachment site detection rate by AS-OCT was 6%, 32%, 80%, and 89%, respectively, and that by UBM was 24%, 60%, 85%, and 93%, respectively. The Bland-Altman plots revealed better consistency in pairs of AS-OCT, UBM, and calliper measurements of primary muscles than postoperative muscles. For primary muscles, 89% of AS-OCT measurements fell within the permissible range of surgical measurements (1 mm), but this dropped to 67% at 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.001). The accuracy of UBM measurements of primary muscles was 81%, and this decreased to 59% at 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AS-OCT and UBM performed well in terms of imaging primary horizontal rectus muscles, but showed decreased accuracy and reproducibility in postoperative muscle measures.

The Efficacy of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments Lenses in Slowing Myopia Progression: Results from Diverse Clinical Circumstances.

PURPOSE: Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses were reported to slow myopia progression significantly in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study evaluated their effectiveness in clinical settings. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Patient records involving use of DIMS and single-vision (SV) spectacle lenses were collected from subsidiary hospitals of Aier Eye Hospital Group. METHODS: The spherical equivalent (SE), determined by subjective refraction, was adopted to assess the myopia progression. The strategy of propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to match the confounding baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The effectiveness was calculated based on the difference of myopia progression of these 2 approaches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in SE. RESULTS: Three thousand six hundred thirty-nine patients with DIMS and 6838 patients with SV spectacles were included. The age of the patients was 6 to 16 years (mean ± standard deviation: 11.02 ± 2.53 years). The baseline SE was between 0.00 and -10.00 diopters (D) (mean ± standard deviation: -2.78 ± 1.74 D). After the PSM, data on 2240 pairs with 1-year follow-up and on 735 pairs with 2-year follow-up were obtained. Significantly slower progression was seen in the DIMS group at both the 1-year (DIMS, -0.50 ± 0.43 D; SV, -0.77 ± 0.58 D; P < 0.001) and 2-year (DIMS, -0.88 ± 0.62 D; SV, -1.23 ± 0.76 D; P < 0.001) subdataset. In the 1-year subdataset, 40% and 19% showed myopia progression of no more than 0.25 D for the DIMS and SV groups, respectively (chi-square, 223.43; P < 0.001), whereas 9% and 22% showed myopia progression of more than 1.00 D for the DIMS and SV groups, respectively (chi-square, 163.38; P < 0.001). In the 2-year subdataset, 33% and 20% showed myopia progression of no more than 0.50 D for the DIMS and SV groups, respectively (chi-square, 31.15; P < 0.001), whereas 12% and 29% showed myopia progression of more than 1.50 D for the DIMS and SV groups (chi-square, 65.60; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the magnitude was lower than that reported in the previous RCT, this large-scale study with diversity of the data sources confirmed the effectiveness of DIMS spectacles to slow myopia progression in clinical practice. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

PARP1 proximity proteomics reveals interaction partners at stressed replication forks.

PARP1 mediates poly-ADP-ribosylation of proteins on chromatin in response to different types of DNA lesions. PARP inhibitors are used for the treatment of BRCA1/2-deficient breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Loss of DNA replication fork protection is proposed as one mechanism that contributes to the vulnerability of BRCA1/2-deficient cells to PARP inhibitors. However, the mechanisms that regulate PARP1 activity at stressed replication forks remain poorly understood. Here, we performed proximity proteomics of PARP1 and isolation of proteins on stressed replication forks to map putative PARP1 regulators. We identified TPX2 as a direct PARP1-binding protein that regulates the auto-ADP-ribosylation activity of PARP1. TPX2 interacts with DNA damage response proteins and promotes homology-directed repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Moreover, TPX2 mRNA levels are increased in BRCA1/2-mutated breast and prostate cancers, and high TPX2 expression levels correlate with the sensitivity of cancer cells to PARP-trapping inhibitors. We propose that TPX2 confers a mitosis-independent function in the cellular response to replication stress by interacting with PARP1.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Negatively Regulates the Inflammatory Response to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection by Inhibiting NF-κB and JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in IPEC-J2 Porcine Epithelial Cells.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection causes watery diarrhea and vomiting in piglets. The pathogenesis of PEDV infection is related to intestinal inflammation. It is known that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) has potent anti-inflammatory activity, but it is unknown whether 1,25(OH)2D3 can inhibit the PEDV-induced inflammatory response and the underlying mechanism. We used transcriptome analysis, gene and protein expression, RNA interference and overexpression, and other techniques to study the anti-inflammatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on PEDV infection in IPEC-J2 cells. The results showed that interleukin 19 (IL-19) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) gene expression were enhanced with the increase in PEDV infection time in IPEC-J2 cells. Interestingly, 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation obviously inhibited IL-19 and CCL20 expression induced by PEDV. Meanwhile, we also found that 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced p-NF-κB, p-STAT1, and p-STAT3 protein levels induced by PEDV at 24 h post-infection. IκBα and SOCS3, NF-κB, and STAT inhibitor respectively, were increased by 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation upon PEDV infection. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation inhibited ISG15 and MxA expression induced by PEDV. Although 1,25(OH)2D3 suppressed the JAK/STAT signal pathway and antiviral gene expression, it had no significant effects on PEDV replication and IFN-α-induced antiviral effects. In addition, when the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was silenced by siRNA, the anti-inflammatory effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 was inhibited. Meanwhile, the overexpression of VDR significantly downregulated IL-19 and CCL20 expression induced by PEDV infection. Together, our results provide powerful evidence that 1,25(OH)2D3 could alleviate PEDV-induced inflammation by regulating the NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways through VDR. These results suggest that vitamin D could contribute to inhibiting intestinal inflammation and alleviating intestinal damage in PEDV-infected piglets, which offers new approaches for the development of nutritional strategies to prevent PEDV infection in piglets.

Protocol for inducible piggyBac transposon system for efficient gene overexpression in human pluripotent stem cells.

In human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), traditional approaches for gene overexpression have low efficiency and are often laborious. Here, we provide a relatively simple protocol for gene overexpression with the Dox-inducible PiggyBac transposon system. We detail the steps for overexpression of FLI1 and/or YAP in H1 embryonic stem cells (H1 ESCs) as an example. Our protocol can be applied to any gene of interest in a variety of hPSCs. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Quan et al. (2021).

YAP inhibition promotes endothelial cell differentiation from pluripotent stem cell through EC master transcription factor FLI1.

Endothelial cells (ECs) derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide great resource for vascular disease modeling and cell-based regeneration therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms of EC differentiation are not completely understood. In this study, we checked transcriptional profile by microarray and found Hippo pathway is changed and the activity of YAP decreased during mesoderm-mediated EC differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Knockdown of YAP in hESCs promoted both mesoderm and EC differentiation indicating by mesodermal- or EC-specific marker gene expression increased both in mRNA and protein level. In contrast, overexpression of YAP inhibited mesoderm and EC differentiation. Microarray data showed that several key transcription factors of EC differentiation, such as FLI1, ERG, SOX17 are upregulated. Interestingly, knockdown YAP enhanced the expression of these master transcription factors. Bioinformation analysis revealed that TEAD, a YAP binds transcription factors, might regulate the expression of EC master TFs, including FLI1. Luciferase assay confirmed that YAP binds to TEAD1, which would inhibit FLI1 expression. Finally, FLI1 overexpression rescued the effects of YAP overexpression-mediated inhibition of EC differentiation. In conclusion, we revealed the inhibitory effects of YAP on EC differentiation from PSCs, and YAP inhibition might promote expression of master TFs FLI1 for EC commitment through interacting with TEAD1, which might provide an idea for EC differentiation and vascular regeneration via manipulating YAP signaling.

Cox-2 Antagonizes the Protective Effect of Sevoflurane on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis through Inhibiting the Akt Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To uncover the protective role of sevoflurane on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. METHODS: An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established in cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2. Sevoflurane (SEV) was administrated in H9c2 cells during the reoxygenation period. Viability, layered double hydroxide (LDH) release, and apoptosis in H9c2 cells were determined to assess H/R-induced cell damage. Relative levels of apoptosis-associated genes were examined. Moreover, phosphorylation of Akt was determined. RESULTS: H/R injury declined viability and enhanced LDH release and apoptotic rate in H9c2 cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) was upregulated following H/R injury, which was partially reversed by SEV treatment. In addition, SEV treatment reversed changes in viability and LDH release owing to H/R injury in H9c2 cells, which were further aggravated by overexpression of Cox-2. The Akt pathway was inhibited in H9c2 cells overexpressing Cox-2. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane protects cardiomyocyte damage following H/R via the Akt pathway, and its protective effect was abolished by overexpression of Cox-2.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus replication by regulating cell cycle resumption in IPEC-J2 porcine epithelial cells.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection causes heavy economic losses in the pig industry. Currently, the lack of effective treatments prompts new antiviral researches. We have shown that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation alleviated PEDV infection in weaned pigs before. However, it is not clear whether vitamin D inhibits PEDV replication. In this study, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) inhibited PEDV induced mitochondria damage and cell apoptosis. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment decreased PEDV nucleocapsid gene and protein levels in IPEC-J2 cells. Transcriptomic data showed that PEDV infection altered the expression of 5316 genes (2498 up, 2818 down) in IPEC-J2 cells. The differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in cell cycle process, ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, mitotic nuclear division, and other biological processes. Then we examined the effects of PEDV infection on cell cycle progression in IPEC-J2 cells, and the results showed that PEDV induced G0/G1 phase arrest. G0/G1-phase arrest was also conducive to PEDV replication. However, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment decreased G0/G1 phase percentage induced by PEDV. Cyclin D and cyclin E mRNA expression were also increased by 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation upon PEDV infection. Moreover, the regulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 on cell cycle progression was abrogated by ERK1/2 inhibitor, as well as the mRNA expression of cyclin D. The inhibition of 1,25(OH)2D3 on PEDV replication was also eliminated by ERK1/2 inhibitor. Taken together, these results demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation inhibited PEDV replication, and the anti-virus effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 was mediated in part by regulating cell cycle progression through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Generation of human embryonic stem cell lines (WAe001-A-67,WAe001-A-68) with TEAD1 and TEAD4 expression by the PiggyBac transposon system.

Transcription factors TEAD1 and TEAD4 play an important role in development, differentiation, cell growth and proliferation. To further understand the exact role of TEAD1 and TEAD4 in these processes. We generated TEAD1 and TEAD4 doxycycline-inducible expression human embryonic stem cell lines (WAe001-A-67 and WAe001-A-68) by PiggyBac transposon system. These cell lines retained normal morphology and karyotype, normal expression of pluripotent markers, and differentiation potential. These cell lines can be used to verify whether the TEAD1 and TEAD4 play a role in stem cell and cell lineage differentiation.

Long noncoding RNA DLEU2 drives the malignant behaviors of thyroid cancer through mediating the miR-205-5p/TNFAIP8 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the plight in thyroid cancer therapy, we aimed to find novel therapeutic targets from a molecular perspective. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assay were carried out to determine RNA and protein expression. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, flow cytometry, transwell migration assay and aerobic glycolysis analysis were performed to analyze cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and aerobic glycolysis of thyroid cancer cells. MiRcode and Starbase software were used to search the downstream genes of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 2 (DLEU2) and microRNA-205-5p (miR-205-5p), and the intermolecular combination was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The in vivo role of DLEU2 in tumor growth was verified using the murine xenograft model. RESULTS: DLEU2 and tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8) were highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues and cell lines. DLEU2 and TNRAIP8 promoted the proliferation, migration and aerobic glycolysis and restrained the apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells. DLEU2/miR-205-5p/TNFAIP8 signaling axis was identified in thyroid cancer cells. TNFAIP8 overexpression largely rescued the malignant phenotypes in DLEU2-silenced thyroid cancer cells. DLEU2 positively regulated TNFAIP8 expression by acting as miR-205-5p sponge in thyroid cancer cells. DLEU2 silencing blocked the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. CONCLUSION: lncRNA DLEU2 exerted a pro-tumor role to promote proliferation, migration and aerobic glycolysis while repressing the apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells via miR-205-5p/TNFAIP8 axis.

Scallion-Inspired Graphene Scaffold Enabled High Rate Lithium Metal Battery.

Graphene-based one-dimensional macroscopic assemblies (GBOMAs) have attracted great attention and extensive efforts have been devoted to enabling great progress. However, their applications are still restricted to less functionalized electronics, and the superior potentials remain scarce. Herein, inspired by natural scallion structure, a novel strategy was introduced to effectively improve battery performances through the mesoscale scallion-like wrapping of graphene. The obtained RGO/Ag-Li anodes demonstrated an ultralow overpotential of ∼11.3 mV for 1800 h at 1 mA cm-2 in carbonate electrolytes, which is superior to those of the most previous reports. Besides, this strategy can also be further expanded to the high mass loading of various cathode nanomaterials, and the resulting RGO/LiFePO4 cathodes exhibited remarkable rate performance and cycle stability. This work opens a new avenue to explore and broaden the applications of GBOMAs as scaffolds in fabricating full lithium batteries via maximizing their advantages derived from the unique structure and properties.

Establishment and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell line (WMUi020-A) from a patient with bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy.

A human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line (WMUi020-A) was generated from the aortic smooth muscle cells of a 56-year-old donor with bicuspid aortic valve and ascending aortic aneurysm. Episomal vector-mediated Non-integration iPSC reprogramming was used for this iPSC line generation. The established iPSC line highly expressed pluripotency markers with three germ-layer differentiation potential in vitro, as well as a normal karyotype. We further found that this iPSC line has a potential mutation of ROBO4 (c.161 T>C, p.Q54R), which may be useful for the disease modeling of bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy.

Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell line (WMUi001-A) from a patient with aortic dissection.

A human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line (WMUi001-A) was generated from the aortic tissue of a 47-year-old donor with aortic dissection and normal blood pressure. Integration-free episomal vector-mediated reprogramming was used for the generation of this iPSC line. The established iPSC line was found to express pluripotency markers, exhibit a differentiation potential in vitro, as well as display a normal karyotype. We further identified that this iPSC line contained a mutation in collagen type IV (COL4A2, R131M), which may serve as a useful tool for the disease modeling of aortic dissection.

Generation of a human embryonic stem cell (WAe001-A-47) with hVGLL4 doxycyclin-inducible expression by the PiggyBac transposon system.

VGLL4 is a new component of the Hippo pathway and bind TEADs to compete with YAP, so as to inhibit tumor progression, but its role in stem cell and organ regeneration remains unclear. Using the PiggyBac transposon system, we generated a VGLL4 doxycycline-inducible expression human embryonic stem cell line (WAe001-A-47). The established hESC line retains its normal morphology and pluripotency markers with in vitro differentiation potential, as well as a normal karyotype.

Dietary 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Supplementation Alleviates Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection by Improving Intestinal Structure and Immune Response in Weaned Pigs.

We conducted this experiment to determine if feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) to weaned pigs would alleviate porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection and immune response. Forty-two weaned pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary 25(OH)D3 treatments (5.5, 5.5, 43.0, 80.5, 118.0, 155.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg diet) for 26 days. On day 22 of the trial, all the treatments were orally administrated with PEDV except for one of the 5.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg treatments, which was challenged with the same volume of sterile saline and served as control. Another 5.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg group for PEDV challenge was named CON-PEDV. Average daily gain (p < 0.05) was reduced by PEDV infection. PEDV administration also induced severe diarrhea (p < 0.05), reduction of villous height and the ratio of villous height to crypt depth, and increase of crypt depth and serum diamine oxidase activity (p < 0.05). Serum IgM and complement component 4 levels were increased by PEDV challenge. However, 155.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg supplementation alleviated intestinal damage (p < 0.05) compared with CON-PEDV. Furthermore, 155.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg supplementation downregulated the mRNA abundance of inflammatory cytokines and interferon signal pathway-related genes (p < 0.05) compared with CON-PEDV. These results suggested that dietary supplementation of 155.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg could alleviate intestinal damage and protect against PEDV-induced inflammatory status.

Effects of dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance, immune function and antioxidative capacity in weaned piglets.

The study evaluated the effects of different doses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) on growth performance, immune function and antioxidative capacity in piglets. In a 21-d trial, 35 weaned pigs were divided into five groups and diets were supplemented with 5.5 (control), 43.0, 80.5, 118.0 and 155.5 µg 25(OH)D3/kg, respectively. No treatment effects were observed for average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio. Increasing dietary 25(OH)D3 levels increased serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations linearly (p < 0.01), decreased the frequency of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells (p < 0.01), and the serum level of complement component 3 (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 80.5 and 118.0 µg 25(OH)D3/kg enhanced the activity of serum glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05) and addition of 43.0 µg 25(OH)D3/kg increased the malondialdehyde concentration (p < 0.05). Overall, feeding high-dose 25(OH)D3 to weaned pigs partly improved immune functions and the antioxidative capacity.

CT-Guided 125I Seed Interstitial Brachytherapy as a Salvage Treatment for Recurrent Spinal Metastases after External Beam Radiotherapy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of CT-guided 125I seed interstitial brachytherapy in patients with recurrent spinal metastases after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Between August 2003 and September 2015, 26 spinal metastatic lesions (24 patients) were reirradiated by this salvage therapy modality. Treatment for all patients was preplanned using a three-dimensional treatment planning system 3-5 days before 125I seed interstitial brachytherapy; dosimetry verification was performed immediately after seed implantation. Median actual D90 was 99 Gy (range, 90-176), and spinal cord median Dmax was 39 Gy (range, 6-110). Median local control (LC) was 12 months (95% CI: 7.0-17.0). The 6- and 12-month LC rates were 52% and 40%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 11 months (95% CI: 7.7-14.3); 6-month and 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 65%, 37%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. Pain-free survival ranged from 2 to 42 months (median, 6; 95% CI: 4.6-7.4). Treatment was well-tolerated, with no radiation-induced vertebral compression fractures or myelopathy reported. Reirradiation with CT-guided 125I seed interstitial brachytherapy appears to be feasible, safe, and effective as pain relief or salvage treatment for patients with recurrent spinal metastases after EBRT.