Avian influenza virus transmission is suppressed in chickens fed Lactobacillus paracasei expressing the 3D8 single-chain variable fragment protein

The 3D8 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a mini-antibody sequence with independent nuclease activity that shows antiviral effects against all types of viruses in chickens and mice. In this study, chickens were treated daily with an oral dose of 109 CFU Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) expressing either a secreted or anchored 3D8 scFv for three weeks. After L. paracasei administration, the chickens were challenged with avian influenza virus (AIV). From each experimental group, three chickens were directly infected with 100 µL of 107.5 EID50/mL H9N2 AIV and seven chickens were indirectly challenged through contact transmission. oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected at 3, 5, 7, and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi) from AIV-challenged chickens, AIV Shedding titres were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Contact transmission in the chickens that were fed 3D8 scFv-secreting L. paracasei showed a significant reduction in viral shedding when compared with other groups. These results suggest that L. paracasei secreting 3D8 provides a basis for the development of ingestible antiviral probiotics with activity against AIV

The association between vitamin D supplementation and the long-term prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer patients: a retrospective observational cohort study with propensity score matching

ObjectiveBenefits of vitamin D in various cancers have been reported, but its effects on differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have not been established. We aimed to analyze the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prognosis of DTC.MethodsA retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on 9,739 DTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy from January 1997 to December 2016. Mortality was classified as all-cause, cancer-related, or thyroid cancer-related. Patients were divided into the “VD group” (supplemented with vitamin D) and the “control group” (without vitamin D supplementation). Propensity score matching was performed in a 1:1 ratio according to age, sex, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), and lymph node metastasis (LNM) status, and 3,238 patients were assigned to each group. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed.ResultsThe follow-up period was 10.7 ± 4.2 years. Clinicopathological variables between two groups were similar except for all-cause (p<0.001) and total cancer death (p=0.001). From the Kaplan−Meier curve and log-rank test, “VD group” had significantly favorable all-cause (p<0.001) and total cancer mortality (p=0.003), but similar thyroid cancer mortality (p=0.23). In Cox regression, vitamin D intake reduced the risk of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR], 0.617, p=0.001) and total cancer mortality (HR, 0.668, p=0.016) but had no effect on thyroid cancer mortality.Discussion/conclusionVitamin D supplementation was positively associated with all-cause and total cancer mortality in DTC and might be a modifiable prognostic factor for improved survival. Further research will be needed to clarify the effect of vitamin D supplementation on DTC

In-situ Deposition of Graphene Oxide Catalyst for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Using Atmospheric Plasma

The vacuum deposition method requires high energy and temperature. Hydrophobic reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be obtained by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition under atmospheric pressure, which shows the hydrophobic surface property. Further, to compare the effect of hydrophobic and the hydrophilic nature of catalysts in the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC), the prepared rGO was additionally treated with plasma that attaches oxygen functional groups effectively to obtain hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO). The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic activity of the hydrophobic rGO and hydrophilic GO deposited on the p-type Si wafer was analyzed. Herein, we have proposed a facile way to directly deposit the surface property engineered GO

Effects of once-weekly dulaglutide on juvenile type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in Korea: a pilot study

Purpose We sought to investigate the effects and side effects of once-weekly dulaglutide treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients <18 years of age in Korea. Methods : From the Eulji University Hospital database, we identified all patients <18 years of age diagnosed with T2DM and treated with dulaglutide from January 1, 2017, to July 31, 2022. Results We identified 5 patients <18 years of age treated with dulaglutide for T2DM management. Their mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 16.6 (0.5) years. Four (80%) patients were female. The mean (SD) body mass index was 29.4 (5.1) kg/m2, and the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 15.2 (1.6) years. Four patients had been treated previously with metformin alone or in combination with insulin. Four patients were treated with 1.5 mg of dulaglutide and one was treated with 0.75 mg of dulaglutide. The mean (SD) hemoglobin A1c concentrations at baseline, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment, respectively, were 10.0% (2.2%), 6.5% (1.5%), and 6.7% (1.4%), with significant differences. In addition, at baseline, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment, the mean (SD) body weight values were 79.7 (13.3) kg, 80.2 (14.0) kg, and 81.1 (15.3) kg, with no significant difference. Conclusions Use of once-weekly dulaglutide for juvenile T2DM ensures very good glycemic control, with few side effects and good adherence, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic agent in this age group. Nationwide studies are warranted to confirm our results