Sensitivity-Enhancing Modified Holographic Photopolymer of PQ/PMMA.

Phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ/PMMA) photopolymers are potential holographic storage media owing to their high-density storage capacities, low costs, high stability, and negligible shrinkage in volume holographic permanent memory. However, because of the limitations of the substrate, conventional Plexiglas materials do not exhibit a good performance in terms of photosensitivity and molding. In this study, the crosslinked structure of PMMA was modified by introducing a dendrimer monomer, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA), which increases the photosensitivity of the material 2 times (from ~0.58 cm/J to ~1.18 cm/J), and the diffraction efficiency is increased 1.6 times (from ~50% to ~80%). In addition, the modified material has a superior ability to mold compared to conventional materials. Moreover, the holographic performance enhancement was evaluated in conjunction with a quantum chemical analysis. The doping of PETA resulted in an overall decrease in the energy required for the reaction system of the material, and the activation energy decreased by ~0.5 KJ/mol in the photoreaction stage.

Enhanced Polarization Properties of Holographic Storage Materials Based on RGO Size Effect.

Polarized holographic properties play an important role in the holographic data storage of traditional organic recording materials. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was introduced into a phenanthraquinone-doped polymethylmethacrylate (PQ/PMMA) photopolymer to effectively improve the orthogonal polarization holographic properties of the material. Importantly, the lateral size of RGO nanosheets has an important influence on the polymerization of MMA monomers. To some extent, a larger RGO diameter is more conducive to promoting the polymerization of MMA monomers and can induce more PMMA polymers to be grafted on its surface, thus obtaining a higher PMMA molecular weight. However, too large of a RGO will lead to too much grafting of the PMMA chain to shorten the length of a single PMMA chain, which will lead to the degradation of PQ/PMMA holographic performance. Compared with the original PQ/PMMA, the diffraction efficiency of the RGO-doped PQ/PMMA photopolymer can reach more than 11.4% (more than 3.5 times higher than the original PQ/PMMA), and its photosensitivity is significantly improved by 4.6 times. This study successfully synthesized RGO-doped PQ/PMMA high-performance photopolymer functional materials for multi-dimensional holographic storage by introducing RGO nanoparticles. Furthermore, the polarization holographic properties of PQ/PMMA photopolymer materials can be further accurately improved to a new level.

Chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide as adjuvant in HEV P239 vaccine.

Searching appropriate adjuvants for vaccine is a potent method to intense the immune efficacy. In the present study, we developed a novel Hepatitis E virus (HEV) vaccine by utilizing chitosan modified nano-graphene oxide (GO-CS) as an adjuvant to support HEV antigen P239 protein (GO/CS/P239). The characterization of GO/CS/P239 was observed by atomic force microscope. The safety of GO/CS/P239 was measured by CCK-8 method, hemolysis test and acute challenge test. The anti-HEV titers and cytokines production were analyzed by double antibody sandwich ELISA. As the results showed, by contrast with a vaccine that contained only the P239 protein, GO/CS/P239 vaccine can promote immune cells to produce more IgG antibodies and cytokines, which were able to stimulate the organism to produce stronger both cellular and humoral immunity. Collectively, GO/CS/P239 particles have been demonstrated to be safe both in vitro and in vivo, and can facilitate sufficient immune response to protect organisms from virus infection, which suggested that our exploration offers a promising alternative vaccine that can control HEV infection.

Effect of tibial cortex transverse transport in patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers: A prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: Management of recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) remains difficult. Distraction osteogenesis mediates new bone formation and angiogenesis in the bone itself and the surrounding tissues. Recently it was reported that tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) was associated with neovascularization and increased perfusion at the foot in patients with recalcitrant DFUs and facilitated healing and limb salvage. However, the findings were from several single-center studies with relatively small populations, which need to be confirmed in multicenter cohort studies with relatively large populations. Furthermore, the effect of this technique on patient's health-related quality of life is still unclear. Methods: We treated patients with recalcitrant (University of Texas wound grading system 2-C to 3-D and not responding to prior routine conservative and surgical treatments for at least 8 weeks) DFUs from seven centers using TTT (a 5 â€‹cm â€‹× â€‹1.5 â€‹cm corticotomy followed by 4 weeks of medial and lateral distraction) between July 2016 and June 2019. We analyzed ulcer healing, major amputation, recurrence, health-related quality of life (physical and mental component summary scores), and complications in the 2-year follow-up. Foot arterial and perfusion changes were evaluated using computed tomography angiography and perfusion imaging 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: A total of 1175 patients were enrolled. Patients who died (85, 7.2%) or lost to follow-up (18, 1.7%) were excluded, leaving 1072 patients for evaluation. Most of the patients were male (752, 70.1%) and with a mean age of 60.4 â€‹± â€‹9.1 years. The mean ulcer size was 41.0 â€‹± â€‹8.5 â€‹cm2 and 187 (16.6%) ulcers extended above the ankle. During the follow-up, 1019 (94.9%) patients healed in a mean time of 12.4 â€‹± â€‹5.6 weeks, 53 (4.9%) had major amputations, and 33 (3.1%) experienced recurrences. Compared to preoperatively, the patients had higher physical (26.2 â€‹± â€‹8.3 versus 41.3 â€‹± â€‹10.6, p â€‹= â€‹0.008) and mental (33.6 â€‹± â€‹10.7 versus 45.4 â€‹± â€‹11.3, p â€‹= â€‹0.031) component summary scores at the 2-year follow-up. Closed tibial fracture at the corticotomy site was found in 8 (0.7%) patients and was treated using external fixation and healed uneventfully. There were 23 (2.1%) patients who had pin site infections and were treated successfully with dressing changes. Compared to preoperatively, the patients had more small arteries and higher foot blood flow (8.1 â€‹± â€‹2.2 versus 28.3 â€‹± â€‹3.9 ml/100 â€‹g/min, p â€‹= â€‹0.003) and volume (1.5 â€‹± â€‹0.3 versus 2.7 â€‹± â€‹0.4 ml/100 â€‹g, p â€‹= â€‹0.037) 12 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion: TTT promotes healing, limb salvage, and health-related quality of life in patients with recalcitrant DFUs as demonstrated in this multicenter cohort study. The surgical procedure was simple and straightforward and the complications were few and minor. The effect of this technique was associated with neovascularization and improved perfusion at the foot mediated by the cortex distraction. The findings are required to confirm in randomized controlled trials.The Translational Potential of this Article: TTT can be used as an effective treatment in patients with recalcitrant DFUs. The mechanism is associated with neovascularization and consequently increased perfusion in the foot after operation.

Phenanthraquinone-Doped Polymethyl Methacrylate Photopolymer for Holographic Recording.

Phenanthraquinone-doped polymethyl methacrylate (PQ/PMMA) photopolymers are considered to be the most promising holographic storage media due to their unique properties, such as high stability, a simple preparation process, low price, and volumetric shrinkage. This paper reviews the development process of PQ/PMMA photopolymers from inception to the present, summarizes the process, and looks at the development potential of PQ/PMMA in practical applications.

Preparation and Immune Effect of HEV ORF2 P206@PLGA Nanoparticles.

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important pathogen that threatens global public health. One-third of the world's population lives in the epidemic area of HEV, causing 20 million infections and 70,000 deaths annually. In China, HEV transmission has changed from human-to-human transmission of HEV1 to zoonotic transmission of HEV4, causing hepatitis outbreaks throughout the country. Protecting vulnerable groups, such as practitioners related to animal husbandry and downstream consumers who are immune deficient or pregnant, from HEV infections is an urgent task. At present, the commercial human vaccine, Hecolin® (HEV 239 vaccine), is licensed for use only in China. HEV 239 vaccine is a human vaccine developed for HEV1. Although it has a cross-protective effect on HEV4, the level of immune protection is still different. To address the transformation of domestic HEV transmission modes, there is an urgent need to develop a new vaccine against zoonotic HEV4. P206@PLGA is a vaccine candidate in which nanomaterials are used to encapsulate viral capsid proteins for the immunization of livestock animals. Our experiments show that P206@PLGA has excellent biocompatibility and safety. In addition, P206@PLGA can effectively induce animals to produce a high titer of antibodies against HEV4, and thus has the potential to become a veterinary vaccine for the prevention of HEV. This approach provides a new concept for HE prevention to reduce the transmission of HEV in farms and protect susceptible populations.

Lensless phase retrieval based on deep learning used in holographic data storage.

This paper proposes a lensless phase retrieval method based on deep learning (DL) used in holographic data storage. By training an end-to-end convolutional neural network between the phase-encoded data pages and the corresponding near-field diffraction intensity images, the new unknown phase data page can be predicted directly from the intensity image by the network model without any iterations. The DL-based phase retrieval method has a higher storage density, lower bit-error-rate (BER), and higher data transfer rate compared to traditional iterative methods. The retrieval optical system is simple, stable, and robust to environment fluctuations which is suitable for holographic data storage. Besides, we studied and demonstrated that the DL method has a good suppression effect on the dynamic noise of the holographic data storage system.

Safety, Immunogenicity, and Effectiveness of Defective Viral Particles Arising in Mast Cells Against Influenza in Mice.

Mast cells play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Defective viral particles (DPs) often arise during IAV replication, which can interfere with the replication of infectious viruses and stimulate the antiviral response of host cells. Therefore, DPs are expected to have immune-protective functions in clinic. However, the potent immunogenicity and effectiveness of DPs arising in mast cells during IAV replication have not been reported. In the present study, we showed that DPs generated in the human mastocytoma cell line HMC-1 following H1N1 infection were safe to mice after vaccination. Compared with lung adenocarcinoma cells, A549, DPs generated in infected mast cells had much better immunostimulatory activity, enhancing both humoral and cellular immunity of hosts. Notably, they could significantly increase the expression of immune-associated cytokines, especially the IFN-γ. Due to the robust immunogenicity, thus DPs generated in infected mast cells could stimulate the robust protective immune reaction effectively to fight against lethal IAV re-challenge after vaccination, which result in the high survival, decreased lung injury as well as inhibition of viral replication and inflammatory response in lungs. This study is the first to illustrate and explore the safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of DPs arising in mast cells against influenza as favorable potential vaccination. The results provide insight into the advances of new prophylactic strategies to fight influenza by focusing on DPs generated in mast cells.

Defective Viral Particles Produced in Mast Cells Can Effectively Fight Against Lethal Influenza A Virus.

Mast cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus (H5N1-HPAIV) infection. Defective viral particles (DPs) can interfere with the replication of infectious viruses and stimulate the innate immune response of host cells. However, DPs arising from mast cells during HPAIV replication and their potent antiviral actions has not been reported. Here, we showed that the human mastocytoma cell line, HMC-1, allowed for the productive replication of the H5N1-HPAIV. Compared with alveolar cell line A549, DPs were propagated preferentially and abundantly in mast cells following IAV infection, which can be attributed to the wide existence of Argonaute 2 (AGO2) in HMC-1 cells. In addition, DPs generated in H5N1-infected cells could provide great therapeutic protection on mice to fight against various influenza A viruses, which included not only homologous H5N1-HPAIV, but also heterologous H1N1, H3N2, H7N2, and H9N2. Importantly, DPs generated in H5N1-infected HMC-1 cells could diminish viral virulence in vivo and in vitro by triggering a robust antiviral response through type II interferon signaling pathways. This study is the first to illustrate the arising of DPs in H5N1-HPAIV infected mast cells and explore their favorable ability to protect mice from influenza A viruses infection, which provides a novel insight and valuable information for the progress of new strategies to fight influenza A viruses infection, especially highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection by focusing on the DPs generated in mast cells.

Online Detection of Peroxidase Using 3D Printing, Active Magnetic Mixing, and Spectra Analysis.

A new method for online detection of peroxidase (POD) using 3D printing, active magnetic mixing, fluidic control, and optical detection was developed and demonstrated in this study. The proposed POD detection system consisted of a 3D printing and active magnetic mixing based fluidic chip for online catalytic reaction, an optical detector with a fluidic flow cell for quantitative determination of the final catalysate, and a single-chip microcontroller based controller for automatic control of two rotating magnetic fields and four precise peristaltic pumps. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as research model and a linear relationship between the absorbance at the characteristic wavelength of 450 nm and the concentration of HRP of 1/4-1/128 µg mL-1 was obtained as A = 0.257ln⁡(C) + 1.425 (R2 = 0.976). For the HRP spiked pork tests, the recoveries of HRP ranged from 93.5% to 110.4%, indicating that this proposed system was capable of detecting HRP in real samples. It has the potential to be extended for online detection of the activity of other enzymes and integration with ELISA method for biological and chemical analysis.

Sarcocystis menglaensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from Williamson's mouse deer Tuagulus williamsoni (Kloss) (Artiodactyla: Tragulidae).

Williamson's mouse deer, Tuagulus williamsoni (Kloss), is one of the smallest ungulates among tragulid species found in northern Thailand, and Yunnan Province, China. Here we describe Sarcocystis menglaensis n. sp., infecting two of 14 (14.3%) Williamson's mouse deer from south-western China. By light microscopy, sarcocysts of S. menglaensis are microscopic, up to 2,170 µm in length, and have a striated sarcocyst wall with 1.5-3.6 µm long palisade-like protrusions. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that sarcocyst wall is of "type 10f", and has numerous villar protrusions folded over the cyst wall. The villar protrusions contained microtubules dispersed throughout the protrusions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA and mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences indicated that S. menglaensis shared a close affinity with species of Sarcocystis Lankester, 1982 from ruminants, which utilise felids as definitive hosts.

The therapeutic effects of sodium cromoglycate against influenza A virus H5N1 in mice.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the protective role of sodium cromoglycate in mice during influenza virus infection. DESIGN: H5N1 virus-infected mice were treated with the mast cell stabilizer sodium cromoglycate (SCG) to investigate its therapeutic effect. SAMPLE: The nose, trachea and lungs from mice were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Virus replication and host responses were determined by plaque assay, quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and histology. RESULTS: SCG-treated mice survived better than did PBS-treated mice after H5N1 virus infection. Mild pathological changes with fewer inflammatory cell infiltration and fewer virus antigens were observed in the nose, trachea, and lungs of SCG-treated mice on days 3 and 5 post-infection. However, no significant changes in viral load in the lungs were detected between SCG- and PBS-treated mice. Furthermore, significantly decreased expression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, Toll-like receptor 3, and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-b was detected in the lungs of SCG-treated mice, and no higher expression of interferon-c was detected. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SCG has therapeutic roles in H5N1 virus-infected mice by alleviating the inflammatory response rather than inhibition of viral replication in the lungs.

Detection of Hepatitis B virus in serum and liver of chickens.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important human pathogens. Its existence in food animals could present a significant threat to public health. The objective of this study was to determine if HBV is present in serum and liver of chickens. A total of 129 serum samples from broiler chickens were collected for the detection of HBV antigens and antibodies, and 193 liver samples were tested for HBV DNA sequence by PCR and for the existence of HBV antigens by immunohistochemistry. The overall prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc was 28.68%, 53.49%, 17.05%, respectively, whereas HBeAg, anti-HBe were barely detectable. Three serum samples were found to be positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg. Further analysis of these samples with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed two morphologic particles with 20 nm and 40 nm in diameter, which were similar to small spherical and Danes particles of HBV. The viral DNA sequence identified in two of the chicken livers shared 92.2% of one known HBV strain and 97.9% nucleotide sequence of another HBV strain. Our results showed the existence of HBV in chickens. This would present a significant risk to people who work with live chickens or chicken products if HBV found in chicken could be confirmed to be the same as human HBV.

Genealogy and palaeodrainage basins in Yunnan Province: phylogeography of the Yunnan spiny frog, Nanorana yunnanensis (Dicroglossidae).

Historical drainage patterns adjacent to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau differed markedly from those of today. We examined the relationship between drainage history and geographic patterns of genetic variation in the Yunnan spiny frog, Nanorana yunnanensis, using approximately 981 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA partial sequences from protein-coding genes ND1 and ND2, and intervening areas including complete tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Gln) and tRNA(Met). Two null hypotheses were tested: (i) that genetic patterns do not correspond to the development of drainage systems and (ii) that populations had been stable and not experienced population expansion, bottlenecking and selection. Genealogical analyses identified three, major, well-supported maternal lineages, each of which had two sublineages. These divergent lineages were completely concordant with six geographical regions. Genetic structure and divergence were strongly congruent with historical rather than contemporary drainage patterns. Most lineages and sublineages were formed via population fragmentation during the rearrangement of paleodrainage basins in the Early Pliocene and Early Pleistocene. Sympatric lineages occurred only in localities at the boundaries of major drainages, likely reflecting secondary contact of previously allopatric populations. Extensive population expansion probably occurred early in the Middle Pleistocene accompanying dramatic climatic oscillations.

[Perception and attitude of rural community to the construction of Asian elephant conservation corridors in Xishuangbanna].

By using contingent valuation method (CVM), an investigation was made from November 2007 to March 2008 on the perception and attitude of 196 households in 5 villages within 2 planned Asian elephant conservation corridors in Xishuangbanna to the construction of the corridors. 80.61% of the interviewees conditionally supported the corridors construction. The main factors affecting the interviewees' support willingness included their education level, per capita income, and perceptions to Asian elephant protection, human-elephant relations, and corridor utilization patterns and its beneficiaries, among which, the interviewees' awareness of Asian elephant conservation, corridor utilization patterns, and corridor beneficiaries had strong influence on the support willingness, with the correlation coefficient being 0.231, 0.236, and -0.304, respectively. The rural community holding the land tenure played a key role in the corridors construction. To effectively design and planning the construction of biological conservation corridor, it is necessary to have a deep understanding on the perceptions and attitudes of rural community to the construction of the corridor and to obtain their support and participation for this construction.

Phylogeny of the Asian spiny frog tribe Paini (Family Dicroglossidae) sensu Dubois.

The anuran tribe Paini, family Dicroglossidae, is known in this group only from Asia. The phylogenetic relationships and often the taxonomic recognition of species are controversial. In order to stabilize the classification, we used approximately 2100 bp of nuclear (rhodopsin, tyrosinase) and mitochondrial (12S, 16S rRNA) DNA sequence data to infer the phylogenetic relationships of these frogs. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed using Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods supported a monophyletic tribe Paini. Two distinct groups (I,II) were recovered with the mtDNA alone and the total concatenated data (mtDNA+nuDNA). The recognition of two genera, Quasipaa and Nanorana, was supported. Group I, Quasipaa, is widespread east of the Hengduan Mountain Ranges and consists of taxa from relatively low elevations in southern China, Vietnam and Laos. Group II, Nanorana, contains a mix of species occurring from high to low elevation predominantly in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountain Ranges. The occurrence of frogs at high elevations appears to be a derived ecological condition. The composition of some major species groups based on morphological characteristics strongly conflicts with the molecular analysis. Some possible cryptic species are indicated by the molecular analyses. The incorporation of genetic data from type localities helped to resolve some of the taxonomic problems, although further combined analyses of morphological data from type specimens are required. The two nuDNA gene segments proved to be very informative for resolving higher phylogenetic relationships and more nuclear data should be explored to be more confident in the relationships.

[Experimental study for the targeting therapy of mouse lung carcinoma treated by anti-hnRNPB1 monoclonal antibody with 131I].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the targeted therapeutic efficiencies of 131I-anti hnRNPB1 MAb (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteinB1, monoclonal antibody with 131I) and anti-hnRNP B1 MAb on the mice with implanted Lewis lung carcinoma. Methods Anti hnRNPB1 MAb was combined with 131I by routine chloramines-T method. The Lewis lung cancer cells were implanted subcutaneously into 30 C57BL/6 mice. After 7 d, the mice were divided into five groups. The mice in each group were injected with antibody or other reagent by tail vein respectively. For group I, the 131I-anti hnRNPB1 MAb 11.1 MBq single dose was administered. For group II, the 131I-anti hnRNPB1 MAb 11.1 MBq double doses (interval 3 d) were given. And the Na(131)I 11.1 MBq dosage was used to treat group III. For group IV, only anti-hnRNPB1 MAb 50 microg was conducted for mice. Group V was used as control. The toxic response was observed every day, and the size of tumor was measured weekly, and then the mice were killed four weeks after treatment. The tumor was resected and weighed. The inhibited rate of tumor growth was calculated and tumor tissue was pathologically detected. RESULTS: After treatment the average tumor volumes of group I, II, III, IV, V were (3869 +/- 192) mm3, (1987 +/- 149) mm3, (6922 +/- 532) mm3, (6962 +/- 509) mm3, (6957 +/- 521) mm3 respectively. The average tumor volumes in I, II group were significantly smaller than those in V group (P < 0.05), also the average tumor volume in group II was significantly smaller than that in I group (P < 0.05). The average tumor volume showed no significant difference in III and IV group compared to the control groups. The inhibition rates of tumor growth in II and I group were 67.17% and 39.03% respectively, obviously higher than those in III (1.36%) and IV group (0.9%) (P < 0.05). The inhibition rates of tumor growth between II and I group also showed significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is showed that the Lewis lung cancer on mice can be inhibited by 131I-hnRNPB1 MAb and the inhibition rate of tumor growth is dose-response relationship.

DNA prime followed by protein boost enhances neutralization and Th1 type immunity against FMDV.

Prime-boost strategy has been exhibited its potency to enhance immune responses, which would be important to the success to develop a vaccine against the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). An eukaryotic expression construct encoding the FMDV capsid VP1 protein with a recombinant VP1 protein or a commercial FMDV vaccine were tested in the prime-boost strategy in mice and cattle trials. The levels of induced specific antibodies, T cell proliferations, and DTH activities were significantly higher in the prime-boost groups than in those vaccinated with DNA, protein or FMDV vaccine alone. More importantly, the levels of neutralizing antibodies in the former groups were significantly higher than others and could last for at least four months in cattle trials. This study suggests that the prime-boost strategy significantly improves the effective immunity and may provide a longer protection against FMDV infection.

[Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibody against heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein B1].

OBJECTIVE: To establish anti-heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein B1 monoclonal antibody cell line and to identify immunological activity. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with specific hnRNPB1 polypeptide by multiple-place hypodermic injection. The splenic cells of the mice were fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells. The hybridoma culture supernants were screened by indirect ELISA with artificial synthetic peptide. RESULTS: Two hybridoma cell lines against hnRNPB1 were successfully obtained; the titers of antibody in ascites were 1: 1.8 x 10(5). The McAb showed the character of no cross reactions. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the antibody could bind with hnRNPB1 specifically. CONCLUSION: The McAb prepared so by this laboratory is of good specificity and sensitivity.