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Neural inflammatory response is a crucial pathological change in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) which accelerates the formation of perihematomal edema and aggravates neural cell death. Although surgical and drug treatments for ICH have advanced rapidly in recent years, therapeutic strategies that target and control neuroinflammation are still limited. Exosomes are important carriers for information transfer among cells. They have also been regarded as a promising therapeutic tool in translational medicine, with low immunogenicity, high penetration through the blood-brain barrier, and ease of modification. In our previous research, we have found that exogenous administration of miRNA-124-overexpressed microglial exosomes (Exo-124) are effective in improving post-injury cognitive impairment. From this, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of miRNA-124-enriched microglial exosomes on the ICH mice in the present study. We found that the gene-edited exosomes could attenuate neuro-deficits and brain edema, improve blood–brain barrier integrity, and reduce neural cell death. Moreover, the protective effect of Exo-124 was abolished in mice depleted of Gr-1+ myeloid cells. It suggested that the exosomes exerted their functions by limiting the infiltration of leukocyte into the brain, thus controlling neuroinflammation following the onset of ICH. In conclusion, our findings provided a promising therapeutic strategy for improving neuroinflammation in ICH. It also opens a new avenue for intranasal delivery of exosome therapy using miRNA-edited microglial exosomes.

Atmospheric dustfall samples from the libraries and dormitories of 14 universities in Wuhan, China, were collected and analyzed for 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results showed that the levels of Σ16PAHs in the dustfall from libraries varied from 2.45 to 13.4 μg·g−1, with an average value of 5.06 μg·g−1, while that of dormitories ranged from 2.61 to 10.6 μg·g−1, with an average of 5.19 μg·g−1. The compositions of PAHs in library and dormitory dustfall were similar, and they were dominated by high molecular weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) (including fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene), which accounted for 79.2% of the total PAHs. Spatially, the higher levels of PAHs contamination were mainly distributed in areas with high population density and heavy traffic, which suggests that anthropogenic activities made an important contribution to the PAHs emissions. The diagnostic ratios and principal component analyses (PCA) indicated that combustion-related anthropogenic sources, such as petroleum, coal, and biomass combustion, as well as vehicular traffic emission, were the main sources of PAHs bound to dustfall. The toxic equivalent concentrations (BaPeq) of dustfall-bound PAHs ranged from 271 to 2510 μg·kg−1. According to the health risk assessment results, dermal contact was the predominant exposure pathway, followed by ingestion and inhalation. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of exposure to PAHs in dustfall was 1.230 × 10−6−1.140 × 10−5, which indicates that there are low potential carcinogenic risks in the universities.

Golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellanae) belong to Class A, the highest level of endangered primate species. Exploring the infection status of potential pathogens in golden snub-nosed monkeys is important for controlling associated diseases and protecting this species. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence for a number of potential pathogens and the prevalence of fecal adenovirus and rotavirus. A total of 283 fecal samples were collected from 100 golden snub-nosed monkeys in December 2014, June 2015, and January 2016; 26 blood samples were collected from 26 monkeys in June 2014, June 2015, January 2016 and November 2016 at Shennongjia National Reserve in Hubei, China. The infection of 11 potential viral diseases was examined serologically using an Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) and Dot Immunobinding Assays (DIA), while the whole blood IFN-γ in vitro release assay was used to test tuberculosis (TB). In addition, fecal Adenovirus and Rotavirus were detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). As a result, the Macacine herpesvirus-1 (MaHV-1), Golden snub-nosed monkey cytomegalovirus (GsmCMV), Simian foamy virus (SFV) and Hepatitis A virus (HAV) were detected with the seroprevalence of 57.7% (95% CI: 36.9, 76.6), 38.5% (95% CI: 20.2, 59.4), 26.9% (95% CI: 11.6, 47.8), and 7.7% (95% CI: 0.0, 84.2), respectively. Two fecal samples tested positive for Adenovirus (ADV) by PCR, with a prevalence of 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2, 2.5), and further, the amplification products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that they belonged to the HADV-G group. However, other pathogens, such as Coxsackievirus (CV), Measles virus (MeV), Rotavirus (RV), Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), Simian type D retroviruses (SRV), Simian-T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (STLV-1), Simian varicella virus (SVV), Simian virus 40 (SV40) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (TB) were negative in all samples. In addition, a risk factor analysis indicated that the seroprevalence of MaHV-1 infection was significantly associated with old age (≥4 years). These results have important implications for understanding the health status and conservation of the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey population at Shennongjia Nature Reserve.

Variable air volume (VAV) is the most common installation among heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. To maintain the comfort level and lessen energy utilization, there is a pressing need for its effective control. In this study, a lumped parameter model composed of multizone VAV is considered, and sliding mode control (SMC) is designed to guarantee robust operation in the presence of uncertainties. For comparison of the proposed controller performance, a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller is additionally designed. The indoor temperature of zones is controlled by positioning the supply air dampers. Tracking objectives of controllers are inspected via two practical cases of desired temperature setpoints including (a) sinusoidal waveform and (b) the combination of steps. Results obtained using SMC ensure the robust operation of the VAV system against parametric uncertainties. In addition, SMC is more energy efficient than PID in terms of overshoot and settling time.