Memory responses of innate lymphocytes and parallels with T cells

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are classified as innate immune cells, given their ability to rapidly respond and kill transformed or virally infected cells without prior sensitization. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that NK cells also exhibit many characteristics similar to cells of the adaptive immune system. Analogous to T cells, NK cells acquire self-tolerance during development, express antigen-specific receptors, undergo clonal-like expansion, and can become long-lived, self-renewing memory cells with potent effector function providing potent protection against reappearing pathogens. In this review, we discuss the requirements for memory NK cell generation and highlight the similarities with the formation of memory T cells.

https://ift.tt/2GYBado

Investigation of the therapy targets of Yi-Qi-Yang-Yin-Hua-Tan-Qu-Yu recipe on type 2 diabetes by serum proteome labeled with iTRAQ

Publication date: 5 October 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 224
Author(s): Jing Zhao, Cheng-Ke Cai, Ming Xie, Jin-Na Liu, Bang-Zhong Wang
Ethnopharmacology relevanceBased on basic theories of Chinese medicine, Yi-Qi-Yang-Yin-Hua-Tan-Qu-Yu (YQYYHTQY) recipe was constituted by eleven kinds of Chinese herbs and effective in treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). But the therapy target was unclear.ObjectiveIn this study, we used the serum proteome labeled by iTRAQ to find therapy target of YQYYHTQY recipe on T2DM.Materials and methodsThe rat model was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg). Drugs were administered to rats once daily for 14 days. Related laboratory parameters were observed. Serum proteome were compared between T2DM and YQYYHTQY group using the iTRAQ labeling quantitative proteomics technique. Functional differential proteins were analysis by STRING software. Target proteins were confirmed by ELISA kits.ResultsHyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, decrease of glucose transporter, depilation, less activity, flock together, depression, ecchymosis of tongue and tail appearance, the typical diabetic patients "a little more than three" symptoms, as well as the decrease of grip strength, serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/ cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) ratio, serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the increase of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), thromboxane B2 (TXB2)/ 6-keto prostaglandin F1α (6-keto PGF1α) ratio, endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were found in T2DM group. After drugs treatment, all the above indexes almost were improved in different degrees and effect of YQYYHTQY recipe was superior to pioglitazone hydrochloride. In addition, there were 23 differential proteins, 5 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated proteins. Of them, there were 4 proteins related with diabetes, blood and behavior. Cell division control protein 42 homolog (CDC42) and Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) were the therapy targets of YQYYHTQY recipe on T2DM.ConclusionsYQYYHTQY recipe showed therapy effect on T2DM. CDC42 and RhoA proteins were the therapy targets of YQYYHTQY recipe.

Graphical abstract

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Foaming of blood in endovenous laser treatment

Abstract

This work is dedicated to a challenging issue of modern phlebology—establishment of a physical mechanism of the endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) against great saphenous vein incompetence (protuberant varicosities). Using optical and acoustical methods, we have studied the laser-induced formation of microbubbles in an aqueous solution of surface-active substances, serum, and blood directly in patients while conducting EVLT of the great saphenous vein in a clinical setting. We have used lasers with wavelengths 0.97 and 1.47 μm. Their radiation was transmitted through a quartz-quartz polymer fiber 600 μm in diameter. It has been found that in all cases, the laser beam with moderate power (1–10 W) supplied through an optical fiber leads to the formation of micro-bubbled foam. It has been shown that laser exposure during EVLT induces blood boiling, which results in heating of the venous walls (thermal destruction of the intima) and provides effective foam occlusion of the blood vessels (hemostasis). Necessary and sufficient conditions for a successful EVLT are associated with the thermal destruction of intima and laser-induced foam hemostasis.

https://ift.tt/2ISAZlD

Effect of CO 2 concentration on strength development and carbonation of a MgO-based binder for treating fine sediment

Abstract

We previously described a MgO-based binder for treating fine sediment and simultaneously store CO₂. Here, we describe a study of the physical/mechanical characteristics and carbonation reactions of the MgO-based binder used to solidify/stabilize fine sediment in atmospheres containing different CO₂ concentrations. Carbonation of the sediment treated with the MgO-based binder at the atmospheric CO₂ concentration markedly improved the compressive strength of the product. The compressive strength was 4.78 MPa after 365 days of curing, 1.3 times higher than the compressive strength of sediment treated with portland cement. This improvement was caused by the formation of carbonation products, such as hydromagnesite, nesquehonite, and lansfordite, and the constant high pH (~ 12) of the specimen, which favored the growth of hydration products such as calcium silicate hydrates and portlandite. Very low compressive strengths were found when 50 and 100% CO₂ atmospheres were used because of excessive formation of carbonation products, which occupied 78% of the specimen depth. Abundant carbonation products increased the specimen volume and decreased the pH to 10.2, slowing the growth of hydration products. The absence of brucite in specimens produced in a 100% CO₂ atmosphere indicated that MgO carbonation is favored over hydration at high CO₂ concentrations.

https://ift.tt/2seZTWt

Occurrence of PCDD/PCDFs, dioxin-like PCBs, and PBDEs in surface sediments from the Neva River and the Eastern Gulf of Finland (Russia)

Abstract

A total of 26 samples of surface sediments collected in the Neva River (including the St. Petersburg city area) and in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of total PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in sediments ranged from < 0.05 to 219 pg g⁻¹ d.w. and from 44 to 246,600 pg g⁻¹ d.w. respectively. The total World Health Organization toxic equivalent (WHO-TEQ_{PCDD/F + PCB}) values varied between 0.01 and 59.0 pg g⁻¹. In the majority of cases, the PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations do not exceed the threshold effect level (TEL) recommended by Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) as quantitative target for the sum of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. The congener profile indicates that combustion is the primary source of PCDD/Fs in most of the studied samples. For the PCBs, the historical use of technical PCB products was identified as the major source. ΣPBDE₁₀ concentrations ranged from 0.004 to 1.8 ng g⁻¹ d.w. The congener profile results show that BDE-47 (tetra-BDE) is the dominant congener in sediment samples. According to the sediment and water quality guidelines established in the EU (PNEC) and in Canada (FEQG), all the samples studied can be classified as lowly contaminated by PBDEs. The sediment concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PBDEs measured in this study were comparable to or lower than those reported for other areas of the Baltic Sea.

https://ift.tt/2slvy7N

Evaluation of larvicidal, adulticidal, and anticholinesterase activities of essential oils of Illicium verum Hook. f., Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr., and Myristica fragrans Houtt. against Zika virus vectors

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is the vector responsible for transmitting pathogens that cause various infectious diseases, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya, worrying health authorities in the tropics. Due to resistance of mosquitoes to synthetic insecticides, the search for more effective insecticidal agents becomes crucial. The aim of this study was to verify the larvicidal, adulticidal, and anticholinesterase activities of the essential oils of the Illicium verum (EOIV), Pimenta dioica (EOPD), and Myristica fragrans (EOMF) against Ae. aegypti. The essential oils (EOs) were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The larvicidal and adulticidal activities of EOs were evaluated against third instar larvae and Ae. aegypti adult females, respectively, using the procedures of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the anticholinesterase activity of the EOs by the modified Ellman method. The following major components were identified: (E)-anethole (90.1%) for EOIV, methyl eugenol (55.0%) for EOPD, and sabinene (52.1%) for EOMF. All EOs exhibited larvicidal and adulticidal activity against Ae. aegypti. The highest larval mortality was observed in EOMF with LC₅₀ = 28.2 μg mL⁻¹. Adult mortality was observed after 1 (knockdown) and 24 h exposure, with the highest potential established by the EOIV, KC₅₀ = 7.3 μg mg female⁻¹ and LC₅₀ = 10.3 μg mg female⁻¹. EOIV (IC₅₀ = 4800 μg mL⁻¹), EOMF (IC₅₀ = 4510 μg mL⁻¹), and EOPD (IC₅₀ = 1320 μg mL⁻¹) inhibited AChE. EOMF (4130 μg mL⁻¹) and EOPD (IC₅₀ = 3340 μg mL⁻¹) inhibited BChE whereas EOIV showed no inhibition. The EOs were toxic to larvae and adults of Ae. aegypti, as well as being less toxic to humans than the currently used insecticides, opening the possibility of elaboration of a natural, safe, and ecological bioinsecticide for vector control.

https://ift.tt/2L3SOi7

Use of a combination of in vitro models to investigate the impact of chlorpyrifos and inulin on the intestinal microbiota and the permeability of the intestinal mucosa

Abstract

Dietary exposure to the organophosphorothionate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been linked to dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. We therefore sought to investigate whether (i) CPF's impact extends to the intestinal barrier and (ii) the prebiotic inulin could prevent such an effect. In vitro models mimicking the intestinal environment (the SHIME®) and the intestinal mucosa (Caco-2/TC7 cells) were exposed to CPF. After the SHIME® had been exposed to CPF and/or inulin, we assessed the system's bacterial and metabolic profiles. Extracts from the SHIME®'s colon reactors were then transferred to Caco-2/TC7 cultures, and epithelial barrier integrity and function were assessed. We found that inulin co-treatment partially reversed CPF-induced dysbiosis and increased short-chain fatty acid production in the SHIME®. Furthermore, co-treatment impacted tight junction gene expression and inhibited pro-inflammatory signaling in the Caco-2/TC7 intestinal cell line. Whereas, an isolated in vitro assessment of CPF and inulin effects provides useful information on the mechanism of dysbiosis, combining two in vitro models increases the in vivo relevance.

https://ift.tt/2LwZ9E5