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Due to the simplicity and low detection limit, fluorescent probes are widely used in both analytical sensing and optical imaging. Compared to conventional fluorescent probes, reversibility endows the reversible fluorescent probe outstanding advantages and special properties, making reversible fluorescent probes with capable of quantitative, repetitive or circulatory. Reversible fluorescent probes can also monitor the concentration dynamics of target analytes in real time, such as metal ions, proteins and enzymes, as well as intracellular redox processes, which have been widely applied in various fields. This review summarized the types and excellent properties of reversible fluorescent probes designed and developed in recent years. It also summarized the applications of reversible fluorescent probe in fluorescence imaging, biological testing, monitoring redox cycles, and proposed the remaining challenges and future development directions of the reversible fluorescent probe. This review provided comprehensive overview of reversible fluorescent probe, which may provide valuable references for the design and fabrication of the reversible fluorescent probe. [Display omitted] • It is a comprehensive review on the progress of reversible fluorescent probe. • The types, excellent properties and applications of reversible fluorescent probe were summarized and descripted. • Emphasized the challenges and highlighted the prospects of reversible fluorescent probes. • Provided valuable references for design and fabrication of reversible fluorescent probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton is very important to aquaculture ecosystem and is vulnerable to ambient conditions. In recent years, Chaetomorpha valida, an invasive filamentous green alga, has been blooming in Apostichopus japonicus culture ponds. Here, we conducted a 5‐month investigation, examining whether that bloom affects the structure and succession of the pond phytoplankton community. Differences in dissolved oxygen, light and nutrient concentrations in both bloom and normal (non‐bloom) areas varied monthly. The species and populations of phytoplankton communities in both the bloom and normal areas showed no significant differences when C. valida biomass was low, but through time, differences became increasingly significant. Species in normal areas remained relatively stable as the numbers and species of the dominant species changed little and the diversity and evenness indexes increased monthly. In bloom areas, species abundance decreased gradually with most of the decrease affecting Bacillariophyta. Here, the number of dominant species remained stable from May to July but decreased significantly in August and September. Diversity and evenness indexes also decreased significantly, and the differences between the 2 areas increased rapidly. Results showed that C. valida bloom in A. japonicus culture ponds influenced both the structure and succession of the phytoplankton community, contributing to comprehensive assessment of the effects of C. valida bloom on aquaculture ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are pattern recognition molecules of the innate immune system via specific recognizing peptidoglycan, a unique component of bacterial cell wall. In the present study, a homologous gene encoding PGRP-S was identified and characterized from Apostichopus japonicus and designated as AjPGRP-S. The open reading frame of AjPGRP-S is 756 bp encoding a polypeptide of 251 amino acids (aa) with a signal peptide (1–24 aa) and a typical PGRP domain (37–178 aa). Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment revealed that AjPGRP-S is a member of the PGRP-S family. In healthy sea cucumbers, AjPGRP-S was expressed in all examined tissues with the highest distribution in body wall, muscle, and intestine. In Vibrio splendidus -infected sea cucumbers, AjPGRP-S was remarkably induced in coelomocytes. The recombinant AjPGRP-S (rAjPGRP-S) was shown to possess the highly amidase activity in the presence of Zn2+. Moreover, rAjPGRP-S exhibited agglutination abilities and strong bacteriostatic activities against V. splendidus , V. harveyi , V. parahaemolyticus , Staphylococcus aureus , and Micrococcus luteus. Furthermore, the agglutination ability can be enhanced in the presence of Zn2+. In conclusion, our results suggested that AjPGRP-S serves as a pattern recognition molecule involved in the immune response towards various pathogenic infections. • Complete cDNA sequence of S-type PGRP was identified in Apostichopus japonicus. • Vibrio splendidus challenge could significantly induce AjPGRP-S mRNA expression. • RAjPGRP-S was shown to possess the highly amidase activity in the presence of Zn2+. • RAjPGRP-S displayed both the agglutination abilities and bacteriostatic activities against examined bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ( l-DOPA) treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) often results in debilitating involuntary movements known as l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia ( lID), which is the main obstacle in PD. The abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) are consistently involved with the activation of the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Previous research has also shown that blockade of ERK phosphorylation could reduce the induction of lID. Consequently, inhibitors of MAPK signaling cascade that block the aberrant supersensitive response of direct pathway striatal neurons could provide a novel therapeutic adjunct to l-DOPA in the treatment of PD. Statins, a specific inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, can also inhibit Ras isoprenylation and activity, and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). Simvastatin, a representative of statins, could reduce l-DOPA-induced AIM incidence and severity in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of PD by preventing the l-DOPA/benserazide-induced increase in pERK1/2 levels in our study. The simvastatin- l-DOPA/benserazide-treated 6-OHDA animals displayed less severe rotational behavior and a dramatic reduction in AIM severity than the l-DOPA/benserazide-treated ones. This lower AIM severity was related to a decrease in l-DOPA-induced increase in the following: (1) striatal pERK1/2 and (2) FosB levels. These results suggest that simvastatin could represent a treatment option for managing lID in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) in the cardioprotection afforded by antimycin A. Langendorff perfused murine hearts exposed to antimycin A or vehicle prior to global ischemia with p38-MAPK and HSP27 phosphorylation examined in the presence and absence of SB203580 or the presence (mkk3+/+) and absence (mkk3–/–) of MKK3. Infarct size was determined after 30 or 40 min of global ischemia and 2 h reperfusion. p38-MAPK dual phosphorylation in response to antimycin A was attenuated by co-administration of the antioxidant mercaptopropyonyl-glycine but unaffected by the absence of MKK3 or the presence of SB203580 at a concentration that inhibited the downstream phosphorylation of HSP27. Pre-ischemic exposure to antimycin A caused a significant reduction in subsequent infarction (I:R%) compared to vehicle on both the mkk3–/– and mkk3+/+ background (23.7±2.9 and 22.8±4.6 compared to 50.7±4.0 and 49.6±5.4 P =0.001, respectively). In C57Bl6 mice, antimycin A prior to ischemia reduced infarct size compared to vehicle (22.8 ± 6.1 vs. 48.3±5.2 P =0.01, respectively), an effect abolished by coincident SB203580. The cardiac protection initiated by antimycin A is dependent on the activation of p38-MAPK which occurs, at least in part, in response to oxygen-derived free radicals. The mechanism of this protective form of p38-MAPK activation is independent of the upstream kinase MKK3 and does not involve autophosphorylation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is widely known that all-female fish production holds economic value for aquaculture. Sebastes schlegelii, a preeminent economic species, exhibits a sex dimorphism, with females surpassing males in growth. In this regard, achieving all-female black rockfish production could significantly enhance breeding profitability. In this study, we utilized the widely used male sex-regulating hormone, 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) at three different concentrations (20, 40, and 60 ppm), to produce pseudomales of S. schlegelii for subsequent all-female offspring breeding. Long-term MT administration severely inhibits the growth of S. schlegelii, while short term had no significant impact. Histological analysis confirmed sex reversal at all MT concentrations; however, both medium and higher MT concentrations impaired testis development. MT also influenced sex steroid hormone levels in pseudomales, suppressing E2 while increasing T and 11-KT levels. In addition, a transcriptome analysis revealed that MT down-regulated ovarian-related genes (cyp19a1a and foxl2) while up-regulating male-related genes (amh) in pseudomales. Furthermore, MT modulated the TGF-β signaling and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways, indicating its crucial role in S. schlegelii sex differentiation. Therefore, the current study provides a method for achieving sexual reversal using MT in S. schlegelii and offers an initial insight into the underlying mechanism of sexual reversal in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus plantarum is one of common probiotics in fermented foods. Quorum sensing (QS) is a common communication way within bacteria. It is not clear whether the probiotic properties of L. plantarum mediated by QS. Here, Lb. plantarum YM-4–3 was examined for resistance of pH, bile, antimicrobial and luxS gene expression pattern. The study found that: (1) the supernatant of YM-4–3 had bacteriostatic effect to Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus; (2) Lb. plantarum YM-4–3 shown tolerance property to the strongest acid culture that pH value of 3; (3) the bile tolerance of Lb. plantarum YM-4–3 was significant difference with the growth stage, the early exponential phase of the growth culture can tolerate bile of 0.4% (w/v), while the stationary growth stage can only tolerate bile of 0.2%; (4) Lb. plantarum YM-4–3 luxS gene was contrary expression along with the growth. (5) Compared with the wild-type strain, the adhesion ability of Lb. plantarum YM-4–3 ΔluxS was decreased obviously. These results showed that AI-2 LuxS quorum sensing system mediating Lb. plantarum acid, bile tolerance, antimicrobial and adhesion of probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the prognostic ability of SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) Score II (SS-II) in LM and/or TVD patients undergoing biodegradable polymer-based drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) in the multi-central randomized PANDA III trial. A total of 723 patients in PANDA III population were enrolled in this study. According to SS-II tertiles, patients were stratified as follow: SS-II ≤ 23 (n = 224), 23 < SS II ≤ 31 (n = 255), SS II > 31 (n = 244). The predictive abilities for 2-year cardiac death were compared between angiographic scores and scores combining both angiographic and clinical variables. Mean anatomic SS was 20.6 ± 9.4, SS-II for PCI was 28.7 ± 8.6. During 2-year follow up, cardiac death (0.00% vs. 1.7% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.003) and target lesion failure (5.9% vs. 9.1% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.020) was significantly higher in the upper tertile group than in intermedian and low tertile. At multivariate analysis, SS-II for PCI was an independent risk factor of cardiac death (Hazard ratio: 2.41, 95%CI: 1.47–3.97, p < 0.005) and TLF (Hazard ratio: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.01–1.65, p = 0.040). The ROC curve analysis showed that SS-II for PCI had better ability than other SYNTAX scoring systems to predict cardiac death (AUC: 0.746, 95%CI:0.63–0.87, p = 0.010). The SS-II had superiority than other SYNTAX scoring systems in predicting 2-year cardiac death in LM and/or TVD patients undergoing PCI with biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents. • SS-II was able to risk-stratify cardiac death in patients undergoing BP-DES. • SS-II was able to risk-stratify TLF in patients undergoing BP-DES. • SS-II had better predictability than other SYNTAX scores in cardiac death after BP-DES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three color morphs (white, green and purple strains) of Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were cultured in artificial seawater, for approximately 90 days, in three temperature ranges: 27–22°C (high), 22–17°C (mid) and 17–12°C (low). All strains grew in all temperature ranges. Temperature significantly affected growth rate, digestibility, digestive enzymes and immune‐related enzymes. Highest specific growth rates were exhibited in 4‐month‐old sea cucumbers at mid and high temperatures, and in 16‐month‐old sea cucumbers at mid and low temperatures. Specific growth rates of green and purple strains were not significantly different, but were significantly higher than that of the white strain at mid temperatures. The digestibility of each strain was significantly higher at 27°C, 22°C and 17°C than at 12°C. Green‐strain digestibility was higher than that of purple and white strains at specific temperatures. Protease and amylase activities of all strains followed bell‐shaped temperature curves with maximum digestive enzyme activity at 17°C. The activities of alkaline and acid phosphatases were higher in the guts of the green strain than in the white or purple strains at the same temperature. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the purple strain than in white and green strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The basal activity of p38 MAPK has recently been shown to impair myocardial contractility. This kinase is activated by ischemia and short-term hibernation. We hypothesized that p38 MAPK activation may contribute to the contractile deficit that characterizes low-flow ischemia. Methods: In Langendorff-perfused isolated C57BL/6 mouse hearts, perfusion pressure was reduced from 85 to 15 or 30 mm Hg for 120 min to induce ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. The effect of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (1 μM/l) on contractile function and p38 MAPK activation was assessed. Results: Reduction in perfusion pressure to 15 or 30 mm Hg was accompanied by stable reductions in coronary flow (83±2% and 66±2%, respectively) and developed pressure (84±2% and 61±3%), with minimal infarction (15.6±0.69% and 10.6±0.98% of LV myocardium, respectively), but marked activation of p38 MAPK (reflected in pHSP27 1092±326% basal and 996±301% basal, respectively). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, present during the last 60 min of reduced pressure perfusion, prevented p38 MAPK activation (pHSP27 281±92% basal, p=0.01 and 186±72% basal, p=0.01) but, despite the presence of a contractile reserve, had no effect on developed pressure. Similarly, early treatment with SB203580 started 5 min after the onset of reduced flow also failed to attenuate contractile dysfunction. Conclusion: The p38 MAPK activation that accompanies short-term hibernation does not appear to contribute to the contractile deficit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. To investigate whether exercise preconditioning (EP) improves the rat cardiac dysfunction induced by exhaustive exercise (EE) through regulating NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathways and to confirm which intensity of EP is better. Method. Ninety healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group (CON), exhaustive exercise group (EE), low-, middle-, and high-intensity exercise precondition and exhaustive exercise group (LEP + EE, MEP + EE, HEP + EE group). We established the experimental model by referring to Bedford's motion load standard to complete the experiment. Then, the pathological changes of the myocardium were observed under a light microscope. Biomarker of myocardial injury in serum and oxidative stress factor in myocardial tissue were evaluated by ELISAs. The cardiac function parameters were detected using a Millar pressure and volume catheter. The levels of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), thioredoxin protein (TRX), nuclear transcription factor kappa Bp65 (NF-ĸBp65), NLRP3, and cysteinaspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1) protein in rats' myocardium were detected by western blotting. Results. 1. The myocardial structures of three EP + EE groups were all improved compared with EE groups. 2. The levels of the creatine phosphating-enzyme MB (CK-MB), reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in three EP + EE groups were all increased compared with CON but decreased compared with the EE group (P < 0.05). 3. Compared with the CON group, slope of end-systolic pressure volume relationship (ESPVR), ejection fraction (EF), and peak rate of the increase in pressure (dP/dtmax) all dropped to the lowest level in the EE group (P < 0.05), while the values of cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), end-systolic volume (Ves), end-diastolic volume (Ved), and relaxation time constant (Tau) increased in the EE group (P < 0.05). 4. Compared with the CON group, the expression levels of TXNIP, NF-ĸBp65, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 all increased obviously in the other groups (P < 0.05); meanwhile, they were all decreased in three EP + EE groups compared with the EE group (P < 0.05). 5. NLRP3 was positively correlated with heart rate, IL-6, and ROS, but negatively correlated with EF (P < 0.01). Conclusion. EP protects the heart from EE-induced injury through downregulating TXNIP/TRX/NF-ĸBp65/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathways. Moderate intensity EP has the best protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate whether exercise preconditioning (EP) protects the rat heart from exhaustive exercise- (EE-) induced injury by inducing the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Methods. 84 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 14 rats per group): control group (Con), exhaustive exercise group (EE), exercise preconditioning group (EP), exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (EP + EE), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) + exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (LY + EP + EE), and LY294002 group (LY). The Con and LY did not exercise. The remaining groups were subjected to treadmill running. The structure of myocardial tissue and serum biomarkers of myocardial injury were observed. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded with a pressure-volume catheter. TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, and the level of mitochondrial membrane permeability transforming pore (mPTP) in myocardium was evaluated using ELISA. Pathway and apoptosis-related proteins in myocardium were assessed using western blotting. Results. Compared to the Con group, the EE group showed remarkable myocardial injury, such as cardiac dysfunction and myocardial apoptosis. Compared to the EE group, the injuries in the EP + EE group were improved. EP increased the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and regulated Bcl-2 family to decrease the mPTP openness level. However, the cardioprotective effects of EP were attenuated when pretreated with the LY294002. Conclusions. EP protected the heart from EE-induced injury, and it may improve the cardiac function and reduce the cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational hypertension is one of the complicated disorders during pregnancy; it causes the significant risks, such as placental abruption, neonatal deaths, and maternal deaths. Hypertension is also responsible for the metabolic and cardiovascular issues to the mother after the years of pregnancy. Identifying and treating gestational hypertension during pregnancy by a suitable biomarker is mandatory for the healthy mother and foetus development. Cortisol has been found as a steroid hormone that is secreted by the adrenal gland and plays a pivotal role in gestational hypertension. A normal circulating level of cortisol is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, and it is necessary to monitor the changes in the level of cortisol during pregnancy. In this work, aptamer-based colorimetric assay is demonstrated as a model with gold nanorod to quantify the level of cortisol using the coordinated aggregation (at 500 mM of NaCl) and dispersion (with 10 μM of aptamer), evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy observation and UV-visible spectroscopy analysis. This colorimetric assay is an easier visual detection and reached the limit of detection of cortisol at 0.25 mg/mL. This method is reliable to identify the condition of gestational hypertension during the pregnancy period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacological antiarrhythmic therapy such as beta-blockers in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and concomitant bradycardia is challenging. A traditional Chinese medicine, Shensong Yangxin (SSYX), has been effective in treatment of frequent PVCs and sinus bradycardia (SB) in separate patient cohorts. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, randomized clinical trial investigates the acute efficacy of SSYX in reducing PVCs burden in patients with concomitant SB. Patients with symptomatic, frequent PVCs, and SB, defined as mean heart rate (MHR) of 45 to 59 beats per min (bpm), were recruited at 33 medical centres in mainland China and randomly assigned by computer to either SSYX or matching placebo for eight weeks. Patients, investigators, and trial personnel were masked to treatment allocation. Primary endpoints were changes in PVCs burden and MHR as assessed by 24-hour Holter monitoring relative to baseline. Secondary efficacy endpoints were subjective symptom score, ECG, and biochemical parameters. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat principles. 333 patients were randomized, of which 166 received SSYX and 167 placebo. Baseline characteristics did not differ. SSYX reduced PVCs burden by 68.2% (p < 0.001) and increased MHR by 10.9% (p < 0.001) compared to 32.2% and 4.7%, respectively, in the placebo group. SSYX group experienced greater symptomatic improvement (p < 0.001). No differences in reported adverse events were seen (20 versus 23). SSYX is an effective antiarrhythmic therapy for symptomatic, frequent PVCs uniquely suited patients with concomitant SB. Clinical trial number was NCT01750775. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two groups of Apostichopus japonicus, a thermotolerant strain (group G3: wet weight, 64.22 ± 13.16 g/ind.), which was selected focusing on the performance of thermo‐tolerance through three generations for 10 years, and a control group (group C: wet weight, 62.08 ± 12.01 g/ind.) were collected from July to October in a seawater pond in northern China. Differences in relative faecal mass (RFM), relative intestinal mass (RIM), percentage of individuals with faeces (PIWF) and intestinal metabolites were investigated and compared between the two groups. The temperatures of terminating aestivation of the two groups were assessed according to the values of RFM and RIM. A regression analysis showed that the corresponding group G3 temperatures were 0.56–1.34°C and 0.70–1.49°C higher than those of group C when RFM and RIM were 0.01–0.05 and 0.005–0.025 respectively. The PIWF values in group G3 were 11.5%–21.2% higher than that in group C from 20 July to 22 September. Significant differences at the concentrations of 52 metabolites were detected between the two groups, 36 were higher in group G3 and 16 were higher in group C. The concentrations of threitol, 2‐methylglutaric acid, N‐acetyl‐D‐galactosamine, N‐acetyl‐L‐leucine, lactose, oxoproline, 2,3‐dimethylsuccinic acid and d‐glucoheptose were significantly different between groups G3 and C and were considered metabolic markers distinguishing group G3 from group C. Metabolism of A. japonicus in group G3 was more active than that in group C. These results provide new insight for understanding ingestion and intestinal metabolism in the thermotolerant strain of A. japonicus under high summer temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With water temperature increasing in summer, large-sized sea cucumbers ( Apostichopus japonicus ) generally enter aestivation, while there still occurs a small portion of individuals that do not enter aestivation and remain active and ingesting. In this study we investigated the differences in immuno- and metabolic enzyme activities and metabolites between non-aestivating and aestivating groups of A. japonicus . Animals (wet weight > 150 g) were collected from July to October in a seawater pond, north China. The individuals that voided feces, or had intestine contents after dissection, were defined as non-aestivating group, whereas those without feces or intestine contents were defined as aestivating group. Relative intestine mass (RIM), immuno-enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, T-AOC) and metabolic enzyme activities (PK, HK, MDH, LDH) of the body wall, and metabolites in intestine in both groups were determined. Results showed that temperature had significant effects on RIM and all enzyme activities in the non-aestivating group ( P < 0.05). However, the significant effects of temperature on the T-AOC, PK and LDH activities were not found in the aestivating group ( P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the RIM and all enzyme activities in the non-aestivating group were significantly higher than those in the aestivating group before September 10. The metabolites including glutamate, 3-aminoisobutyrate, aspartate, choline, phosphocholine, and taurine were abundant in the aestivating group, whereas 12 kinds of amino acids, glucose, glycogen, dimethylamine, inosine, and homarine were abundant in the non-aestivating group. It was obvious that metabolism of the non-aestivating group was more active than that of the aestivating group. This study provided new insights for understanding the differences in intestine degradation, enzyme activities and metabolites between non-aestivating and aestivating A. japonicus under high temperature in summer. Meanwhile, the results might be helpful for high temperature resistant sea cucumber selection in aquaculture. Statement of relevance We state that the work has not been published and is not being considered for published elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether the rate of drug elution and polymer absorption affects clinical outcomes of biodegradable polymer-based drug-eluting stents (DES) is unknown. The widely used polylactide polymer-based Excel stent (JW Medical, Weihai, China) elutes sirolimus within 180 days, and the polylactide polymer is completely absorbed within 6 to 9 months. In contrast, the poly-lactide-co-glycolide polymer-based BuMA stent (Sino Medical, Tianjin, China) elutes sirolimus within 30 days, and the poly-lactide-co-glycolide polymer is completely absorbed within 3 months. Thus, both metallic DES elute sirolimus, isolating major differences to the polymer and elution kinetics.Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the safety and effectiveness between the BuMA sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) and Excel SES in an "all-comers" population.Methods: PANDA III was a multicenter trial with few exclusion criteria, powered for sequential noninferiority and superiority testing. The primary endpoint was 1-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization.Results: Between December 2013 and August 2014, 2,348 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with BuMA (n = 1,174) or Excel SES (n = 1,174). The 1-year primary endpoint of TLF occurred in 6.4% of patients in each group (difference: 0.06%; 95% confidence interval: 1.93% to 2.04%; pnoninferiority = 0.0003; psuperiority = 0.95). There were no significant between-group differences in any of the secondary endpoints other than the incidence of definite/probable stent thrombosis, which occurred less frequently with the BuMA stent (0.5% vs. 1.3%; log-rank p = 0.048).Conclusions: The BuMA SES was demonstrated to be noninferior to the Excel SES for 1-year TLF, with a lower incidence of stent thrombosis. (Comparison of BuMA eG Based BioDegradable Polymer Stent With EXCEL Biodegradable Polymer Sirolimus-eluting Stent in "Real-World" Practice [PANDA-III]; NCT02017275). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study showed that IL-2 and IL-7 could mutually enhance the immunogenicity of canine parvovirus VP2 DNA vaccine, although the underlying mechanism remained unknown. Here, we used the OVA gene as a DNA vaccine in a mouse model to test their enhancement on DNA vaccine immunogenicity and to explore the molecular mechanism. Results showed that both IL-2 and IL-7 genes significantly increased the immunogenicity of OVA DNA vaccine in mice. Co-administration of IL-2 and IL-7 genes with OVA DNA significantly increased OVA-specific antibody titers, T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production compared with IL-2 or IL-7 alone, confirming that IL-2 and IL-7 mutually enhanced DNA vaccine immunogenicity. Mechanistically, we have shown that IL-2 significantly stimulated generation of IL-7 receptor-expressing lymphocytes, and that IL-7 significantly induced IL-2 receptor expression. These results contribute to an explanation of the mechanism of the mutual effects of IL-2 and IL-7 on enhancing DNA vaccine immunogenicity and provided a basis for further investigation on their mutual effects on adjuvant activity and immune regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) tolerates salinity fluctuations when inhabiting the intertidal zone and culture ponds. In this study, green, white and purple morphs of juvenile A. japonicus (1.0 ± 0.1 g) were cultured at salinities of 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38 for 60 days. The influence of salinity on the growth, energy allocation and physiological performance of A . japonicus was determined. The results indicated that the three color morphs tested could survive within the salinity range of 22–38. Salinity had a significant effect on the growth, energy allocation and physiological performance of sea cucumbers ( P < 0.05). Specific growth rates, ingestion rates and feed conversion efficiencies of A. japonicus were generally optimal at a salinity of 30. Similar results were obtained for energy ingested, and the proportion of energy allocated to growth. Significant changes in enzyme activities of sea cucumbers mainly occurred at salinities of 22 and 38, indicating that metabolism was affected by low and high salinities. Green A. japonicus grew faster than the white and purple color morphs at a salinity of 22. Growth rates were the highest in purple, then green and the lowest in white color morphs at salinities of 30, 34 and 38. At a salinity of 22, the green allocated more energy to growth and respiration. The purple morph allocated more energy to growth and respiration when water salinity reached 34 and 38. At salinities of 30, 34 and 38, the purple morph had higher trypsin and superoxide dismutase activities, which supported the higher specific growth rate and food conversion rates compared with the green and white color morphs. The results clearly showed that the green color morph performed better at low salinities, while the purple was better adapted to high salinities within the tolerance range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hallmarks of Parkinson''s disease (PD) are the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the presence of intracellular inclusion bodies in surviving neurons. Although the specific etiology and pathogenesis of sporadic PD remains unknown, neuronal death was proven to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding. However, molecular links between mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding remains obscure. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a classical glycolytic enzyme, is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism under normal circumstances. When translocated to the nucleus, GAPDH promotes neuron apoptosis in several neurodegenerative disorders. But it seems that GAPDH translocation is not the sole mechanism responsible for neuronal apoptosis. We found that rotenone, a common mitochondrial complex I inhibitor used to produce experimental parkinsonism, cannot only induce GAPDH translocation but also trigger intermolecular disulfide bonding and result in the formation of intracytoplasmic aggregates of GAPDH. This suggests a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding, and sheds light on the pathophysiology of Lewy body formation in Parkinson''s disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, we investigated growth, development and viability at the larval, juvenile and adult stages of Strongylocentrouts nudus (Sn), Strongylocentrotus intermedius (Si), Anthocidaris crassispina (Ac) and their hybrids. We achieved improvements of traits related to growth in hybrid F1 via hybridization among the three commercially important sea urchins in China. The obtained results reveal that the average performance traits from fertilization to the 3-month-old juvenile stage (i.e., fertilization rate, larval survival rate, metamorphosis, juvenile survival rate) of heterospecific crosses were significantly inferior to those of conspecific crosses. After 22 months of lab culturing, we measured the growth characteristics (i.e., diameter, height, wet body weight and gonad weight) and evaluated heterosis. The Si×Ac group showed clear heterosis in all characteristics compared to conspecific controls (4.00–59.40%). The Si×Sn and Ac×Sn groups showed limited heterosis, and the hybrids produced few or no gametes. The heterosis of Si×Ac, Si×Sn and Ac×Sn obtained in this work will have significant implications for the development of sea urchin aquaculture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brief exposure to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to trigger subsequent cardioprotection. TNF activates multiple downstream signaling cascades including p38-MAPK, a kinase known to initiate ischemic preconditioning. However, it is not known whether this kinase is similarly involved in TNF-induced cardioprotection. In isolated perfused murine hearts, subjected to 30-min global ischemia/2-h reperfusion, infarction/risk volume was significantly reduced by pretreatment with TNF for 15 min at 0.5 ng/ml, but not at 5 or 10 ng/ml, followed by 10-min washout vs. control (% I/R = 31 ± 3, 46 ± 5 or 54 ± 3 vs. 48 ± 5; P = 0.01, 0.80 and 0.25, respectively). This was in direct contrast to the concentration dependence of myocardial p38-MAPK phosphorylation, as measured by dual phosphorylated p38-MAPK, which was apparent at TNF concentrations of 5 and 10 ng/ml but not at 0.5 ng/ml vs. time-matched control (as % basal 315 ± 25, 422 ± 94 and 97 ± 25 vs. 95 ± 10; P < 0.01, 0.01 and =0.86, respectively). However, phosphorylation of p38-MAPK at 10 min of ischemia was similar among groups (as % basal 393 ± 98, 410 ± 67 and 369 ± 49 for time-matched control, 0.5 and 5 ng/ml, respectively). These patterns were also reflected in the phosphorylation of the downstream substrate HSP27. Furthermore, the effects of TNF on infarct size were not affected by SB203580 (1 μmol/l). These findings suggest that the pre-ischemic activation of p38-MAPK by TNF does not contribute to cardioprotection afforded by this agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]