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Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is one of the major building blocks of biological membranes in mammalian cells. In PC, two fatty acyl chains are linked to the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of the glycerol backbone, and a head group containing a phosphate and choline is linked to the sn-3 position. The length and saturation of the fatty acyl chains of PC vary significantly and determine the biophysical and chemical properties of PC. In mammalian cells, active metabolism of PC takes place primarily through de novo synthesis, the remodelling cycle of deacylation and reacylation, and further modification of lysophosphatidylcholine. PC metabolism undergoes remarkable changes in obesity. In this mini review, we discuss PC metabolism and summarize recent advances about the important involvement of PC metabolism in obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Bovine milk exosomes (BMEs) are being explored in drug delivery despite their rapid elimination by macrophages. We aimed at identifying the BME transporter in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Fluorophore-labeled BMEs were used in transport studies in BMDMs from C57BL/6J and class A scavenger receptor type 1/2 (CASR-1/2) knockout mice and tissue accumulation in macrophage-depleted C57BL/6J mice. Parametric and nonparametric statistics tests for pairwise and multiple comparisons were used. Chemical inhibitors of phagocytosis by cytochalasin D led to a 69 ± 18% decrease in BME uptake compared with controls ( P < 0.05), whereas inhibitors of endocytic pathways other than phagocytosis had a modest effect on uptake ( P > 0.05). Inhibitors of class A scavenger receptors (CASRs) including CASR-1/2 caused a 70% decrease in BME uptake ( P < 0.05). The uptake of BMEs by BMDMs from CASR-1/2 knockout mice was smaller by 58 ± 23% compared with wild-type controls ( P < 0.05). Macrophage depletion by clodronate caused a more than 44% decrease in BME uptake in the spleen and lungs ( P < 0.05), whereas the decrease observed in liver was not statistically significant. In conclusion, CASR-1/2 facilitates the uptake of BMEs in BMDMs and C57BL/6J mice.

Aberrant activation of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome drives the development of many complex inflammatory diseases, such as obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. However, no medications specifically targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome have become clinically available. Therefore, we aim to identify new inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome in this study. Methods: Vesicle-like nanoparticles (VLNs) were extracted from garlic chives and other Allium vegetables and their effects on the NLRP3 inflammasome were evaluated in primary macrophages. After garlic chive-derived VLNs (GC-VLNs) were found to exhibit potent anti-NLRP3 inflammasome activity in cell culture, such function was further assessed in a murine acute liver injury disease model, as well as in diet-induced obesity. Finally, GC-VLNs were subjected to omics analysis to identify the active components with anti-NLRP3 inflammasome function. Results: GC-VLNs are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles containing lipids, proteins, and RNAs. They dose-dependently inhibit pathways downstream of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including caspase-1 autocleavage, cytokine release, and pyroptotic cell death in primary macrophages. The inhibitory effects of GC-VLNs on the NLRP3 inflammasome are specific, considering their marginal impact on activation of other inflammasomes. Local administration of GC-VLNs in mice alleviates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation in chemical-induced acute liver injury. When administered orally or intravenously, GC-VLNs accumulate in specific tissues and suppress activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and chronic inflammation in diet-induced obese mice. The phospholipid 1,2-dilinoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) in GC-VLNs has been identified to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Conclusions: Identification of GC-VLNs and their active component DLPC as potent inflammasome inhibitors provides new therapeutic candidates in the treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases.

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key regulator of innate immune responses, and its aberrant activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome could hold promise to combat these complex diseases, but therapies specifically inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome have not been developed for patient treatment. The current study aimed to identify food-borne exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) that inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Nine vegetables or fruits were selected to extract ELNs, which were examined for their inhibitory effects on activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in primary macrophages. Although most of the tested ELNs posed minimal impacts, the ELNs from ginger rhizomes (G-ELNs) strongly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The G-ELNs contained lipids, proteins, and RNAs and were easily taken up by macrophages. G-ELN treatment suppressed pathways downstream of inflammasome activation including caspase1 autocleavage, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion, and pyroptotic cell death. Apoptotic speck protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization and speck formation assays indicated that G-ELNs blocked assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The lipids in G-ELNs, rather than the RNAs or proteins, were responsible for the inhibitory activity observed. Together, the data suggested G-ELNs as new potent agents that block NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. The unique features of G-ELNs including biomolecule protection and tissue bioavailability should facilitate the development of G-ELN-based therapy to target the NLRP3 inflammasome in the disease settings.

The research is based on the characteristics of thematic learning website, from four dimensions of resource area, task area, interaction area and website running to explore on a feasible evaluation method for a thematic learning website and gives the evaluation standard for two grades of “excellent” and “pass”. Furthermore, further work is put forward. Firstly, evaluation on usability of thematic learning website should be designed. Secondly, students' interest in tasks exploratory and the acquisition of learning ability in a quantitative way are needed to be reflected in evaluation standard for thematic learning website.

OBJECTIVES: Bovine milk exosomes (BMEs) are promising candidates for delivering drugs to brain tumors because they are scalable, bioavailable after oral administration, and cross the blood-brain barrier. The use of BMEs in drug delivery is limited by their rapid elimination by macrophages. The objectives of this study were to identify the BME transporter and assess BME transport kinetics in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) as a first step toward developing strategies that decrease the elimination of drug-loaded BMEs. METHODS: BMEs were isolated by differential centrifugation from skim milk. For transport studies, proteins and lipids on the BME surface were labeled with HiLyte™ Fluor 750 hydrazide and PKH26, respectively, and RNAs in BMEs were labeled with Exo-Red; unlabeled BMEs were used to assess background noise. Bone marrow cells were isolated from the femur and tibia of both C57BL/6J and scavenger receptor A-I/II knockout mice and differentiated ex vivo into BMDMs for use in transport studies. ANOVA, Dunnett's and Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's post-hoc test, unpaired t-test, and two-tailed Mann–Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis; P 0.05). Treatment with inhibitors of class A scavenger receptor (CASR), fucoidan and dextran sulfate caused a 70 ± 8.1% and 70 ± 18% decrease (P ˂ 0.05), respectively, in BME uptake. The role of CASR in BME uptake was confirmed by using a genetics approach: the uptake of BMEs by BMDMs from scavenger receptor A-I/II knockout mice decreased by 58 ± 23% compared to BMDMs from wild-type mice (P ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BME uptake is facilitated by CASR in BMDMs and uptake cannot be saturated under physiological conditions. FUNDING SOURCES: NIH 1P20GM104320, and NIFA 2016–67,001-25,301 and 2020–67,017-30,834, USDA Hatch-1,011,996, and USDA W4002 (all to J.Z.). J.Z is a consultant for PureTech Health, Inc.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether honey, as a medicinal food, contain exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs). METHODS: Honey was diluted in phosphate-buffered saline and subjected to sequential centrifugation followed by ultracentrifugation. ELNs were obtained from honey. Such ELNs were characterized in detail by electron microscopy analysis and biomolecule omics analysis. The anti-inflammatory functions of these honey-derived ELNs (H-ELNs) were studied in primary macrophages and experimentally induced acute liver injury in mice. RESULTS: H-ELNs were membrane-enclosed nanoparticles composed of lipids, proteins, and RNAs. These nanoparticles specifically hindered assembly and activation of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is a critical pro-inflammatory enzyme complex in the innate immune system. H-ELNs protected mice from acute inflammation and liver damage in the experimentally induced acute liver injury. microRNA miR-4057 in H-ELNs was found to potently inhibit activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. CONCLUSIONS: H-ELNs were identified as a new bioactive component in honey and these nanoparticles demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory function in vitro and in vivo. This finding opens a new avenue for studying honey, a medicinal food since ancient times. FUNDING SOURCES: This work was supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute for General Medical Science (NIGMS).

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimeric protein complex that recognizes various danger or stress signals from pathogens, the host, and the environment, leading to activation of caspase-1 and inducing inflammatory responses. This pro-inflammatory protein complex plays critical roles in pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, intensive efforts have been devoted to understanding its activation mechanisms and to searching for its specific inhibitors. Approximately forty natural compounds with anti-NLRP3 inflammasome properties have been identified. Here, we provide an update about new natural compounds that have been identified within the last three years to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome and offer an overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms of their anti-NLRP3 inflammasome activities.

The research is based on the background of new engineering, taking the teaching and research group of software engineering of Anhui Sanlian University as an example, this study is devoted to exploring a feasible way of industry-education integration, students participate in the project research and teaching effect for teachers for construction of the teaching and research group. Furthermore, further work is put forward to promote the deep integration of information education technology with smart campus, to achieve smart management of the teaching and research group gradually.

The research is based on the concept of Scrum, and taking a small examination system for driving license with the architecture of Spring-Struts-Hibernate (SSH) as an example. This study is devoted to the rapid development of this small examination system based on Scrum and describes the feasible implement process of the first Spring. Finally, further work of establishment of an extra continuous integration system and integration of this small examination system with other web applications into a unified platform of local smart campus are put forward in the paper.

Graduation design (thesis) is a crucial section for practical teaching to achieve the training objective of application-oriented talents. The research is based on the concept of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) and taking the software engineering major of Anhui Sanlian University as an example, this study is devoted to the construction of a feasible quality assurance system of graduation design (thesis) from the perspective of process management in the context of OBE. Furthermore, further work is put forward to promote the development of the quality assurance system of graduation design (thesis).

A seat selecting system for self-study room in library is designed to integrate the sub-platform of “Campus Service” in smart application layer of the existed architecture of smart campus. The system is based on Struts–Spring–Hibernate (SSH) architecture, and Android platform is used for the client side. Mode of process driven is used for data exchange of the system to implement the major functions of seat search, seat reservation, my seat view, and seat selecting conveniently. The application of the system achieves good results in author’s experimental university. Finally, further work is expected on development of the system in this paper.

Agile teaching is an important approach of new engineering construction. The research is based on the concept of agile teaching and taking the software engineering major of Anhui Sanlian University as an example, this study is devoted to the construction of agile teaching team in the context of new engineering. Furthermore, further work is put forward to promote the development of the Agile teaching team.

Honey has been used as a nutrient, an ointment, and a medicine worldwide for many centuries. Modern research has demonstrated that honey has many medicinal properties, reflected in its anti‐microbial, anti‐oxidant, and anti‐inflammatory bioactivities. Honey is composed of sugars, water and a myriad of minor components, including minerals, vitamins, proteins and polyphenols. Here, we report a new bioactive component‒vesicle‐like nanoparticles‒in honey (H‐VLNs). These H‐VLNs are membrane‐bound nano‐scale particles that contain lipids, proteins and small‐sized RNAs. The presence of plant‐originated plasma transmembrane proteins and plasma membrane‐associated proteins suggests the potential vesicle‐like nature of these particles. H‐VLNs impede the formation and activation of the nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is a crucial inflammatory signalling platform in the innate immune system. Intraperitoneal administration of H‐VLNs in mice alleviates inflammation and liver damage in the experimentally induced acute liver injury. miR‐4057 in H‐VLNs was identified in inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Together, our studies have identified anti‐inflammatory VLNs as a new bioactive agent in honey.

Blended learning for combination online with offline cannot be inseparable from the support of localization learning platforms. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are not suitable for blended learning because of insufficient functions of management and monitoring offline learning activities on campus. The research presents the user permission for functions of a localization learning platform based on blended learning from the user requirement and describes the functionality design from the technology for implementation. A localization learning platform of AHMOOC in Chuzhou University is designed and applied for blended learning as an application case, and significant effect is obtained. Furthermore, further work is put forward. Firstly, unified external interface for other application systems should be designed to integrate with the localization learning platform under the background of smart campus. Secondly, personalized learning resource based on integrable ware should be designed and reused on localization learning platform for blended learning.

The research is based on the characteristics of instructional software of evaluation and exercise, taking a small examination system for driving license as an example, this study is devoted to exploring a feasible test method for instructional software of evaluation and exercise based on mobile platform. The test method consists of four testing phases of unit and integration testing, functionality testing, comprehensive testing and teaching evaluation which existed research of functionality testing for modern Android mobile Apps is fully used for reference. Furthermore, further work is put forward. Firstly, a special defect management database for bug definition and analysis needs to be established. Secondly, major test points in comprehensive testing phase should be converted to user stories in modern agile testing environment for software exploratory test methods positively.

The integration of information technology and smart education has been realized through smart campus deeply, which has promoted the continuous development of MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and SPOC (Small Private Online Course). A subject-based learning website for software testing course on the cloud platform of smart education is designed that based on smart campus. Teachers could guide the students to implement learning activities on SPOC in the form of task exploration by releasing related topics on software testing course and get good learning feedback on application. Finally, further research work is expected on construction of the subject-based learning website in local universities.

The research is based on the background of new engineering, taking the software engineering major of Anhui Sanlian University as an example, this study is devoted to exploring and implementing on a feasible mode of “one body-two wings” for course construction of software engineering major. Talents cultivation based on integration of industry and education is “one body”, curriculum design and case resource construction are “two wings” of the mode. Furthermore, further work is put forward to optimize for this mode from three aspects.

The research is mainly based on the concept of technologies of software exploratory testing, Questing Patterns (Q-Patterns) and reusable test case, taking a reusable test case as an example, this study is devoted to the development of a feasible reusable test case management system based on exploratory testing in rapid prototype development method, which the process of design, storage, reuse and management of test cases could be implemented positively in the first system version. Furthermore, further work for technical improvement in the next version of this system is put forward.

The research is based on the characteristics of mobile Applications (Apps), taking an Android mobile App of a small examination system as an application case, this study is devoted to exploring a feasible functionality testing method based on exploratory testing for Android mobile Apps, which includes fundamental functionality logic verification, Graphical User Interface (GUI) automated testing, and special testing. Furthermore, further work is put forward to apply this functionality testing method to IOS mobile Apps, adding new test items for mobile Apps and improving the method of depth-first search for control traversal in GUI automated testing.

The research is based on the idea of agile testing, taking the “order cancelled” module of an e-commerce website as an application case, this study is devoted to exploring a feasible and scientific agile testing framework of four quadrants to form an anticlockwise closed loop for guiding the software agile testing process. Furthermore, further work is put forward to establish of a special defect management database for bug definition and analysis, and build the particular test process models for each quadrant of this agile testing framework gradually.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching mode which is suitable for key courses of software engineering major in universities. Based on the concept of PBL, this study takes engineering of Anhui Sanlian University as an example, and is committed to building a feasible PBL teaching mode of software engineering course. Furthermore, further work is put forward to promote the development of the PBL teaching mode for local teaching environment.

The innovation of the curriculum system of software engineering major has become an important part under background of new engineering currently that cannot be ignored. As a case study of Anhui Sanlian University, from the three aspects of talent training, knowledge of vocation, curriculum setting to explore the construction of curriculum system for software engineering major under background of new engineering. Finally, further work is expected in the future. Firstly, sustainable agile teaching system for competitiveness should be developed. Secondly, a local platform for innovative practice on “Five Classes” based on Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) should be established.

Focusing on the problem that most of the existing agile testing models are completely dependent on automated testing method, but the manual testing from the perspective on actual using for users is neglected, resulting in the effectiveness and usability on test target are not insufficient. Through the using for reference and improvement of test activities in existing agile testing models, a new model of agile software exploratory testing is designed in this paper. Based on a wide range of agile methods, the model integrated the roaming exploratory testing methods on single feature and multiple features, exploratory testing methods on system interactive features and scenario changes for user application of the phases on functionality testing, regression testing and acceptance testing effectively, and is fully applied on an orientation system for campus of a university in agile testing practice. The experimental result shows that comparing with the traditional agile testing, more bugs on effectiveness and testability of system can be detected in the same test cycles, and better test result is obtained. Finally, putting forward the attention and reuse of valuable exploratory testing on GUI (Graphical User Interface) layer of the pyramid framework, and the effective combination of the automated testing with the exploratory test method in acceptance testing phase for performance testing of the system will be the future research in the model.

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a rare, life-threatening liver disease with a poor prognosis. Administration of D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers acute liver injury in mice, simulating many clinical features of FHF in humans, therefore, this disease model is often used to investigate potential therapeutic interventions to treat FHF. Recently, suppression of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, was shown to alleviate the severity of GalN/LPS-induced liver damage in mice. Therefore, the goal of this study was to find dietary exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) with therapeutic potential in curbing FHF by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome. Seven commonly consumed mushrooms were used to extract ELNs. These mushrooms were found to contain ELNs composed of RNAs, proteins, and lipids. Among these mushroom-derived ELNs, only shiitake mushroom-derived ELNs (S-ELNs) substantially inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing inflammasome formation in primary macrophages. S-ELNs also suppressed the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, as well as both protein and mRNA levels of the Il1b gene. Remarkably, pre-treatment with S-ELNs protected mice from GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury. Therefore, S-ELNs, identified as potent new inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome, represent a promising class of agents with the potential to combat FHF.

Smart campus is a new stage in the development of educational informatization. Focusing on present construction situation of smart campus in universities in China and abroad, the paper firstly reviews of typical construction modes, types of design architecture and major functional modules of smart campus in universities. Secondly, from the perspective of application, service and management for smart education, some key technologies of construction of smart campus in universities are analyzed and summarized. Finally, further work of promoting the construction standards and evaluation of smart campus, training and improving the big data literacy for teachers and students in campus, and exploring effectively on sharing and constructing mechanism on smart campus for local application-oriented universities is expected in this paper.