Unusual magnetization process and magnetocaloric effect in α-CoV2O6driven by pulsed magnetic fields

In low-dimensional Ising spin systems, an interesting observation is the presence of step magnetization at low temperatures. Here we combine both DC and pulsed magnetic fields to study the 1/3 magnetization plateau and multiple steps in the Ising spin-chain material α-CoV₂O₆. Magnetization in pulsed fields is quite different from that in DC fields, showing multiple steps in an intermediate range of 4.2-6 K, inverted hysteresis below 4.2 K and asymmetric magnetization in negative fields below 11 K. We demonstrate that these unusual behaviors in magnetization are caused by the spin dynamics and the anomalous magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in α-CoV₂O₆, i.e., abrupt changes of sample temperature in adiabatic conditions. We successfully separate the influence between the intrinsic slow spin dynamics and the quasi-extrinsic temperature change. From the MCE, we find that some irreversible behavior is originated from the slow spin dynamics. Two different slow dynamics associated with the metastable steps are observed: one is sensitive to the slow field sweep rate at the order of ∼mT s^-1and weakly depends on temperature, while the other responds to the rapid field sweep rate of ∼kT s^-1and dominates at lowest temperature. We also distinguish that the metastable transition atH₄is the first order and crucial for the ferrimagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. This study is useful to the understanding of multistep magnetization in α-CoV₂O₆and sheds light on recent experimental findings of related compounds.

[Etiologies and treatments of the deficiency of gingival papilla]

Gingival papilla deficiency may cause dental plaque stagnation and food impaction, and may also affect the appearance and pronunciation when occurs in the upper anterior teeth. It has become a common concern of patients and doctors. The aetiological factors of gingival papilla deficiency were complex. Various surgical or non-surgical treatments have been reported. This paper reviews and analyzes the current research progress on the factors and treatment methods of gingival papilla deficiency in domestic and foreign studies, summarizes the factors associated with the gingival papilla deficiency and summarizes the corresponding treatment strategy, so as to provide reference for clinical and research works.

Association of serum 25(OH)Vit-D levels with risk of pediatric fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The association between the risk of fractures and suboptimal vitamin D (Vit-D) status remains controversial in children. This meta-analysis suggested that serum 25(OH)Vit-D levels were lower in pediatric cases with fractures. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)Vit-D) levels less than 50 nmol/L were associated with increased fracture risk in children.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess the association between serum 25(OH)Vit-D and the risk of fractures in children, and to explore the sources of heterogeneity and investigate their impact on results.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted for observational studies comparing serum 25(OH)Vit-D levels between fracture and non-fracture pediatric cases. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

Analysis on 17 case-control and 6 cross-sectional studies (2929 fracture cases and 5000 controls) suggested that 25(OH)Vit-D was lower in fracture cases than in controls (pooled mean difference (MD) = - 3.51 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): - 5.60 to - 1.42) with a heterogeneity (I²) of 73.9%. The sensitivity analysis which merged the case-control studies that had a NOS score ≥ 4 showed a pooled MD of - 4.35 nmol/L (95% CI: - 6.64 to - 2.06) with a heterogeneity (I²) of 35.9%. Pooled odds ratio of fracture in subjects with 25(OH)Vit-D ≤ 50 nmol/L compared to subjects with 25(OH)Vit-D > 50 nmol/L was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.53; I² < 1%).

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that serum 25(OH)Vit-D levels were lower in pediatric patients with fractures. 25(OH)Vit-D ≤ 50 nmol/L was associated with increased fracture risk in children.

A six years longitudinal cohort study on the changes in bone density and bone quality up to peak bone mass in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with and without 2 years of Calcium and Vit-D supplementation

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with osteopenia which could persist into adulthood affecting attainment of Peak Bone Mass thus resulting in osteoporosis in late adulthood. We previously reported a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial(the Cal study) showing significant bone health improvement with 2-year calcium(Ca)+Vit-D supplementation for AIS girls. This study addressed the important issue whether bone health improvement from the initial 2-year Ca+Vit-D supplementation could persist as subjects approached towards Peak Bone Mass at 6-year ie after 4-year of supplement discontinuation. This was an extension of the Cal study on AIS girls (11-14 years old, mean age=12.9 years, Tanner stage<IV) with femoral neck aBMD Z-score<0 and Cobb angle≥15∘. 330 subjects were randomized to Group1(placebo), Group2(600mgCa+400-IU-Vit-D3/day) or Group3(600mgCa+800-IU-Vit-D3/day) for 2-year supplementation after which supplementation was stopped. Investigations at baseline, 2-year and 6-year included High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography(HR-pQCT) at distal radius and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA) at both hips. 270(81.8%) subjects completed 2-year supplementation when changes in left femoral neck aBMD, trabecular vBMD, Trabecular BV/TV, Trabecular Number and Trabecular Separation indicated significant bone health improvement with Ca+Vit-D supplementation(p<0.05). At 6-year(mean age=19.2 years), no between-group difference on bone parameters was noted except increase in Cortical Thickness being greater only in Group3 than in Group1. After 4-year supplement discontinuation, the treatment effect from the initial 2-year supplementation mostly dissipated indicating the need of continued supplementation in AIS girls to sustain therapeutic improvement on bone health as subjects approach towards Peak Bone Mass.

LncRNA SNHG1 attenuates neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury by regulating CDK4 level

OBJECTIVE

Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most intractable complications of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aims to explore the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1 in influencing SCI-induced NP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After establishment of the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats, spinal tissues were extracted. SNHG1 level in rat spinal tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of SNHG1 in the development of NP was explored by assessing paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) in model rats. The interaction between SNHG1 and CDK4 was explored by Luciferase assay and RIP (RNA-Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT-PCR were conducted to determine inflammatory factor levels in rat spinal tissues.

RESULTS

SNHG1 was upregulated in rats undergoing SNL. Knockdown of SNHG1 alleviated the development of NP and overexpression of SNHG1 was capable of inducing NP symptoms in uninjured rats. SNHG1 induced NP by directly regulating CDK4 level.

CONCLUSIONS

SNHG1 is a novel target in the treatment of NP associated with neuroinflammation.

Anaerobic degradation of high-concentration polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater sediments

Recurring oil spill accidents have been a global challenge and contribute to PAHs' heavy accumulation in marine sediments. The rapid bioremediation of PAHs with high concentrations in marine sediments has rarely been studied. In this study, four representative PAHs in crude oil were tested for fast anaerobic biodegradation. An efficient system for the anaerobic degradation of high-concentration PAHs was obtained using petroleum-acclimated marine sediments as inoculants in the treatment system. The degradation efficiencies of benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene, and phenanthrene reached 0.21, 1.71, 3.89, and 4.10 mg/(L·d), respectively, which are 16, 2.8, 1.8, and 1.0 times higher than the reported values. Nitrate was preferred to sulfate as an electron acceptor. The acclimated sediment contains a high abundance of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. The number and diversity of species in the treatment system supplemented with PAHs decreased, but the abundance of some hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and hydrocarbon-intermediate utilising bacteria increased, and ecological succession was observed.

AB0198 EFFICACY AND SAFETY AFTER TRANSITION FROM REFERENCE ADALIMUMAB TO CT-P17 (ADALIMUMAB BIOSIMILAR: 100 MG/ML) IN COMPARISON WITH THE MAINTAINED TREATMENT (CT-P17 OR REFERENCE ADALIMUMAB) IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: 1-YEAR RESULT

Background:

Therapeutic equivalence of CT-P17 to reference adalimumab (ref-adalimumab) has been shown in patients with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through primary 24-week results [1]. Here, efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and immunogenicity results up to 52-week, including transition data from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17 are presented.

Objectives:

To evaluate efficacy, PK, safety and immunogenicity when switched from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17 compared to maintaining CT-P17 or ref-adalimumab.

Methods:

In this study, 648 moderate-to-severe active RA patients despite methotrexate treatment were randomized (1:1) to either CT-P17 or ref-adalimumab and treated with doses of 40 mg every 2 weeks up to Week 24. Prior to dosing at Week 26, 608 patients were randomized again to either maintaining their treatments or being switched from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17. Efficacy, PK, safety, and immunogenicity were assessed up to Week 52.

Results:

After the second randomization, 303 patients continued with CT-P17, 153 patients continued with ref-adalimumab and 151 patients switched from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17 treatments, up to Week 48. Demographics and baseline characteristics were similar among the 3 groups. Sustained and comparable efficacy in terms of ACR20/50/70 response rates was achieved not only in the maintenance groups (CT-P17 or ref-adalimumab) but also in the switched from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17 group up to Week 52 (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

ACR 20/50/70 Response Rates up to 1 YearAbbreviation: ref-adalimumab, reference adalimumab.Note. There were patients who could not visit the study site due to COVID-19 pandemic and were counted as nonresponder for ACR response at Week 52.

In terms of PK, mean trough serum concentration (Ctrough) were maintained after Week 24 in all 3 groups. The observed mean Ctrough were within the reported therapeutic ranges of ref-adalimumab trough levels in RA patients (5-8 μg/mL).

The safety profile after transition was comparable among the 3 groups (Table 1). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was neutropenia. Similar proportions of patients in all 3 groups experienced at least 1 TEAE: injection site reactions, hypersensitivity/allergic reactions and infections. One malignancy (basal cell carcinoma; unrelated) was reported in the ref-adalimumab maintenance group. Safety data accumulated over 1 year also showed comparable results among the 3 groups. Anti-drug antibody (ADA) and neutralizing antibody (NAb) results were similar among the 3 groups. At Week 52, the proportions of patients who had ADA/NAbs were 28.4%/24.8% patients in CT-P17 maintenance, 27.0%/24.3% patients in ref-adalimumab maintenance and 28.3%/26.3% patients in switched to CT-P17 groups.

Conclusion:

Single transition from ref-adalimumab to CT-P17 was efficacious and safe without increase in immunogenicity. Also, efficacy, PK, safety and immunogenicity profiles were comparable between CT-P17 and ref-adalimumab up to Week 52.

References:

[1]J Kay et al, 2020. Poster Presented at ACR Convergence 2020.

Table 1.

Overview of TEAEs from Weeks 26 to 52 (Safety Population – second random subset)

Patients, n (%)Second RandomizationCT-P17 Maintenance(N=303)Ref-ada Maintenance(N=152)Switched to CT-P17 (N=152)≥1 TEAE121 (39.9)69 (45.4)73 (48.0)≥1 TESAE6 (2.0)3 (2.0)5 (3.3)≥1 TEAE leading to study drug discontinuation3 (1.0)2 (1.3)5 (3.3)≥1 TEAE classified as hypersensitivity/allergic reactions2 (0.7)1 (0.7)0 (0)≥1 TEAE classified as injection site reactions1 (0.3)4 (2.6)1 (0.7)≥1 TEAE classified as infection54 (17.8)41 (27.0)28 (18.4)≥1 TEAE classified as malignancy0 (0)1 (0.7)0 (0)

Abbreviations: Ref-ada, reference adalimumab; TEAE, treatment-emergent adverse event; TESAE, treatment-emergent serious adverse event.

Disclosure of Interests:

Daniel Furst Speakers bureau: CME, Consultant of: Amgen, Corbus, Galapagos, Horizon, Kadmon, Pfizer, Talaris, Grant/research support from: Corbus, CSL Behring, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Horizon, Kadmon, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genetech, Talaris, Edward Keystone Speakers bureau: Amgen, AbbVie, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Janssen Inc., Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Genzyme, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Celltrion Inc., Myriad Autoimmune, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Inc, Gilead, Janssen Inc., Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, Sanofi-Genzyme, Samsung Bioepis, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Merck, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, PuraPharm, Jonathan Kay Consultant of: AbbVie, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd., Jubilant Radiopharma, Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc., Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz Inc., Scipher Medicine, UCB, Inc., Grant/research support from: Paid to the University of Massachusetts Medical School: Gilead Sciences Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Pfizer Inc., Janusz Jaworski: None declared, Rafal Wojciechowski: None declared, Piotr Wiland Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Sanofi Aventis, Novartis, Sandoz, Consultant of: Eli Lilly, Novartis, Sandoz, Anna Dudek: None declared, Marek Krogulec: None declared, Sławomir Jeka Speakers bureau: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Lilly, Teva, MSD, Abbvie, Sandoz, Egis, Medac, Consultant of: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Lilly, Teva, MSD, Abbvie, Sandoz, Egis, Medac, Agnieszka Zielinska: None declared, Jakub Trefler: None declared, Katarzyna Bartnicka-Masłowska: None declared, Magdalena Krajewska-Wlodarczyk Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche, Piotr Klimiuk: None declared, Sang Joon Lee Employee of: Celltrion, Inc., Sung Hyun Kim Employee of: Celltrion, Inc., YunJu Bae Employee of: Celltrion, Inc., GoEun Yang Employee of: Celltrion, Inc., JaeKyoung Yoo Employee of: Celltrion, Inc., TaeKyung Kim Employee of: Celltrion, Inc.

MiR-138-5p predicts negative prognosis and exhibits suppressive activities in hepatocellular carcinoma HCC by targeting FOXC1

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence verified that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the development of several cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The levels of miR-138-5p and forkhead box c1 (FOXC1) were examined using quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, migration, and Transwell invasion assays were conducted to examine the impact of miR-138-5p on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The protein expression of FOXC1 was detected using Western blotting assay. The tumor growth of HCC cell in vivo was analyzed using transplanted tumor model. The expressions of FOXC1 and Ki67 in vivo were assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay.

RESULTS

We testified that miR-138-5p was down-expressed in HCC and the low level of miR-138-5p was related to the poor clinical outcome of patient with HCC. Moreover, miR-138-5p repressed the growth and metastatic phenotypes of HCC cells. Consistent with the results in vitro investigations, we revealed that miR-138-5p served as a suppressive miRNA in the growth of HCC cell in vivo. By using the luciferase assay and immunoblotting, we validated that FOXC1 was a potential downstream gene of miR-138-5p. Finally, our results showed that re-expression of FOXC1 rescued the growth and metastatic-related traits of HCC cell inhibited by miR-138-5p.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our observations imply that miR-138-5p restrains the aggressive phenotypes of HCC cell via modulating FOXC1.

Effects of Cryopreservation on Acrosin Activity and DNA Damage of Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) Semen

BACKGROUND

Cryopreservation of sturgeon sperm can be successful, but there can be a decrease in sperm viability and the reasons are not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate variations in the acrosin activity and the DNA integrity of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii semen during cryopreservation at -196ºC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fish semen samples were randomly divided into three groups: [1] fresh control; [2] native semen diluted 1:1 with 23.4 mM sucrose + 0.25 mM KCl + 30 mM Tris (pH 8.0) and the addition of 10% methanol as cryoprotectant; and [3] semen without any diluents or cryoprotectants. Acrosin activity and DNA damage (COMET assay) were assessed.

RESULTS

The average acrosin activity fell to 61% and 27% of the control for cryoprotected and non-cryoprotected semen after cryopreservation. The differences among the three groups were significant (P<0.05). We also observed that various indexes of DNA damage (L-tail; tail DNA, tail momentum, olive tail momentum) were higher in semen that had been frozen.

CONCLUSION

Although cryopreservation of semen induces decreased acrosin activity and increased DNA damage, cryoprotectants can protect the semen during cryopreservation.

TFAP2A is a novel regulator that modulates ferroptosis in gallbladder carcinoma cells via the Nrf2 signalling axis

OBJECTIVE

Ferroptosis is a recently identified form of controlled cell death generally associated with the accumulation of lipid-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis have not been established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarray expression data for three human gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and matched non-tumour specimens were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. Candidate genes were filtered using bioinformatic analysis. After cell transfection, candidate gene impacts on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and ferroptosis (ferrous iron (Fe2+) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels) were assessed.

RESULTS

We screened 626 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 465 that were downregulated and 161 that were upregulated in the three tissue pairs. These DEGs were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the top three modules in the network and four hub genes. Transcription factor AP-2 alpha (TFAP2A) was screened and showed overexpression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) digestive system tumour data and a relationship with clinical survival. In vitro, GBC exhibited upregulated expression of TFAP2A, whose inhibition reduced GBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Fe2+ and MDA levels were elevated. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed TFAP2A enrichment in oxidative stress. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that TFAP2A silencing attenuated the expression of key genes associated with oxidative stress such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1).

CONCLUSIONS

Bioinformatic and experimental analyses reveal that TFAP2A plays a vital role in ferroptosis and hence is a potential therapeutic target for GBC treatment.

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

CSN6 promotes malignant progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by down-regulating TIMP-2

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the expression characteristics of CSN6 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to further explore the mechanism of how it promotes the malignant progression of this cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expressions of CSN6 and TIMP-2 in tumor tissue samples and adjacent normal ones collected from 36 OSCC patients were detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the interplay between their expression levels and the clinical indicators or prognosis of OSCC patients was analyzed as well. Meanwhile, the expressions of CSN6 and TIMP-2 in OSCC cell lines were further verified via qRT-PCR. In addition, CSN6 overexpression and knockdown models were constructed using lentivirus in OSCC cell lines, CAL-27, and Tca8113. At the same time, transwell and cell wound healing assays were conducted to uncover the impact of CSN6 on the function of OSCC cells. Finally, the potential mechanism was explored using Luciferase reporter gene and recovery experiments.

RESULTS

In this work, qRT-PCR results revealed that the level of CSN6 in tumor tissues of OSCC patients was remarkably higher than that in adjacent normal ones. Compared with patients with low expression of CSN6, those with high expression CSN6 had a higher incidence of lymph node or distant metastasis and a lower overall survival rate. In vitro experiments revealed that silencing CSN6 remarkably attenuated the invasive, as well as migration capacities of OSCC cells while overexpression of CSN6 conversely enhanced those. Subsequently, in OSCC cell lines and tissues, TIMP-2 expression was remarkably reduced, which was negatively correlated with CSN6 level. Bioinformatics and Luciferase reporter genes demonstrated that CSN6 can target the corresponding sites of TIMP-2 promoter. In addition, cell recovery experiments suggested the existence of a mutual regulation between CSN6 and TIMP-2, which may synergistically modulate the malignant progression of OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The above results indicated that CSN6 was remarkably upregulated both in OSCC tissues and cell lines, which is remarkably relevant to the incidence of lymph node or distant metastasis and poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Additionally, we verified that CSN6 may promote OSCC malignant progression by regulating TIMP-2.

Dynamics of denitrification performance and denitrifying community under high-dose acute oxytetracycline exposure and various biorecovery strategies in polycaprolactone-supported solid-phase denitrification

Solid-phase denitrification (SPD) is a promising technology for nitrate-rich water purification. This study aimed to examine the variation in denitrification performance and denitrifying community under high-dose acute oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure and various biorecovery strategies. The denitrification performance was impaired significantly after one-day OTC shock at 50 mg L^-1 in a continuous-flow SPD system supported by a polycaprolactone (PCL) carrier but could rapidly recover without the addition of OTC. When 50 mg L^-1 OTC stress was applied for a longer time in the batch tests, a natural recovery period of more than 20 days was required to reach more than 95% nitrate reduction. Under the same conditions, the addition of both mature biofilm-attached PCL carrier and fresh biofilm-free PCL carrier significantly shortened the recovery time for efficient nitrate reduction, mainly due to the increase in organic availability from the PCL carriers. However, the composition of the microbial community notably changed due to the effects of OTC according to high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic analysis. Genes encoding NAR and NIR were much more sensitive than those encoding NOR and NOS to OTC shock. Tetracycline resistance gene (TRG) enrichment was 15.86% higher in the biofilm that experienced short-term OTC shock than in the control biofilm in the continuous-flow SPD system.

The role of Ulva fasciata in the evolution of the microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes in maricultural sediments

This study explored changes in the microbial community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in maricultural clam sediment after 3-month co-culture with different densities (0, 5 and 12 g L^-1) of seaweed Ulva fasciata (U. fasciata). The maximum removal rates of NO₃^--N, PO₄^3--P, and inhibition of Vibrio culturability occurred at presence of 12 g L^-1U. fasciata. A significant decrease by 14.0% of the total ARGs was found in control sediment without U. fasciata after separation from the original niches, while the total ARGs further increased by 5.58%and 4.65% at presence of 5 and 12 g L^-1 of U. fasciata in compared with control sediment, respectively, strongly related with Chloroflexi, Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes hosts. In addition, U. fasciata favored the decline of absolute gene numbers of some tetracycline resistance genes (tetPB, tetW, otrA, tetT, tetO) and class 1 integron-integrase gene.

Transport properties of warm dense neon and krypton at high pressures

The transport properties of warm dense neon (Ne) and krypton (Kr) are studied by combining self-consistent fluid variational theory (SFVT) with linear response theory (LRT). The components are determined using the SFVT, and the transport parameters, including the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermopower, are calculated with the LRT. The relevant scattering mechanisms, including electron-ion, electron-electron, and electron-atom scatterings, are taken into account. An effective potential model in combination with the Muffin-tin model is introduced to further improve the description for electron-atom scattering, which not only includes static, exchange, and polarization interactions but also considers the plasma environmental effects. It is found that for electron-atom scattering, the influence of the plasma density is significant at lower scattering energies but the effects are different for electron-Ne and electron-Kr scattering. For electron-Kr scattering, a plasma density-dependent Ramsauer-Townsend minimum is observed. The obtained transport parameters are compared with the available experiments and other simulations. The plasma phase transition of warm dense Kr is revisited from multiple perspectives based on the numerical simulation results for the electrical conductivity and thermopower. These observations may help one to better understand the transport properties of warm dense noble gases and are an important guide for future experimental designs and theoretical developments.

WWP2 Promotes Odontoblastic Differentiation by Monoubiquitinating KLF5

WW domain-containing E3 Ub-protein ligase 2 (WWP2) belongs to the homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ligase family. It has been explored to regulate osteogenic differentiation, chondrogenesis, and palatogenesis. Odontoblasts are terminally differentiated mesenchymal cells, which contribute to dentin formation in tooth development. However, it remained unknown whether WWP2 participated in odontoblast differentiation. In this study, WWP2 was found to be expressed in mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs), odontoblasts, and odontoblastic-induced mDPCs by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Besides, WWP2 expression was decreased in the cytoplasm but increased in the nuclei of differentiation-induced mDPCs. When Wwp2 was knocked down, the elevated expression of odontoblast marker genes (Dmp1 and Dspp) in mDPCs induced by differentiation medium was suppressed. Meanwhile, a decrease of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed by ALP staining, and reduced formation of mineralized matrix nodules was demonstrated by Alizarin Red S staining. Overexpression of WWP2 presented opposite results to knockdown experiments, suggesting that WWP2 promoted odontoblastic differentiation of mDPCs. Further investigation found that WWP2 was coexpressed and interacted with KLF5 in the nuclei, leading to ubiquitination of KLF5. The PPPSY (PY2) motif of KLF5 was essential for its physical binding with WWP2. Also, cysteine 838 (Cys838) of WWP2 was the active site for ubiquitination of KLF5, which did not lead to proteolysis of KLF5. Then, KLF5 was confirmed to be monoubiquitinated and transactivated by WWP2, which promoted the expression of KLF5 downstream genes Dmp1 and Dspp. Deletion of the PY2 motif of KLF5 or mutation of Cys838 of WWP2 reduced the upregulation of Dmp1 and Dspp. Besides, lysine (K) residues K31, K52, K83, and K265 of KLF5 were verified to be crucial to WWP2-mediated KLF5 transactivation. Taken together, WWP2 promoted odontoblastic differentiation by monoubiquitinating KLF5.

Observation of the efficacy of naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis and its impacts on IL-1 and IL-6

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical efficacy of naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis and the impacts on inflammatory factors IL-1 and IL-6.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

96 children with viral encephalitis were retrospectively analyzed. They were treated from July 2013 to January 2014 in our hospital. They were divided into control group (45 cases treated with acyclovir) and observation group (51 cases treated with acyclovir combined with naloxone). Both groups were treated with comprehensive measures. Changes of the content of serum IL-1 and IL-6 in the two groups before and after treatment were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Signs, recovery time of clinical symptoms, total effective rate, occurrence of adverse reactions and adverse reactions after treatment of children in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Levels of serum IL-1 and IL-6 of children in the control group and the observation group decreased after treatment, and the decrease was greater in the observation group (p<0.05). Signs and recovery time of clinical symptoms of the observation group were significantly shorter than that of the control group (p<0.05). Indexes of serum in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group after treatment (p<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). The prevalence of adverse reactions and sequelae in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of children, viral encephalitis has naloxone combined with ganciclovir had a more significant effect on the decrease of levels of serum IL-1 and IL-6; naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis had better effects, lower adverse reactions and lower prevalence of sequelae compared with sole medication, which is worth clinical promotion.

Tafolecimab, a novel potential long-acting PCSK9 monoclonal antibody: efficacy and safety in healthy and hypercholesterolemia subjects

Background

LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 binds LDL receptors, targeting them for degradation. The dosing intervals for currently available PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies are once every 2 or 4 weeks. Tafolecimab, a novel recombinant human PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, was found to have higher affinity with PCSK9 and show longer LDL-C reduction compared to evolocumab in preclinical studies.

Purposes

The objectives for the SAD and MAD studies were to investigate the safety and efficacy of tafolecimab and explore the optimal dosing schedule.

Methods

The phase 1 study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-ascending dose study (SAD) in Chinese healthy subjects, who were randomized 3:1 to tafolecimab and placebo (n=58). SAD subjects received tafolecimab subcutaneously at 25/75/150/300/450/600mg, or intravenously at 75/450mg, monitored up to day 84. The phase 2 study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dosing, multiple ascending dose (MAD) study in patients with hypercholesterolemia, who were randomized 4:1 to tafolecimab and placebo (n=60). MAD subjects received tafolecimab subcutaneously at 75/140mg every 2 weeks, 300/420mg every 4weeks, 450/600mg every 6 weeks up to day 84 or 98 with 3 months follow-up.

Results

In the SAD, the maximum mean reduction in LDL-C ranged from 52.2% to 72.1% and was achieved as early as 5 days (figure 1a). The duration of LDL-C reduction was tafolecimab dose dependent. In the MAD, the mean LDL-C concentrations were reduced by tafolecimab for each dose at 12 weeks relative to baseline (ranging from 54.30% to 72.26%; p&lt;0.001). Particularly, a 56.52% (−72.50%, −40.54%) reduction of LDL-C was observed in the cohort of 600mg Q6W. The effect sustained till week 14 (8 weeks after the last dose) where there was still a 43.46% (−60.96%, −25.96%) reduction from baseline (figure 1b). The mean reduction of Lp(a) at week 12 ranged from 24.04% to 50.59% relative to baseline. Tafolecimab reduced the other lipids when comparing with placebo. The pharmacokinetics/pharmadynamics (LDL-C) profiles of tafolecimab were well characterised and support the potential dosing interval of 6–8 weeks subcutaneously.

Both healthy and hypercholesterolemia subjects are generally tolerable to tafolecimab. Reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were: tafolecimab 23 (52.3%) vs. placebo 8 (57.1%); tafolecimab 34 (70.8%) vs. placebo 9 (75.0%) in the SAD and MAD respectively. There were no serious TEAEs or events leading to death or treatment discontinuation in both SAD and MAD.

Conclusions

Tafolecimab was well tolerated in both healthy and hypercholesterolemia in Chinese subjects, and improved lipid profile including LDL-C, Lp(a) and other lipids. The sustained effects on LDL-C suggests the potential of tafolecimab as a long-lasting PCSK9 inhibitor with dosing interval of 6–8 weeks or beyond.

Figure 1. LDL-C: Percent change from baseline

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Innovent Biologics (Suzhou), China