Role of IL-18 in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity to toxoplasmosis

The production of IFN-γ is important to control the growth of the opportunistic infection with Toxoplasma gondii. The ability of IL-12 to stimulate NK and T cells to produce IFN-γ is important for the development of resistance against T. gondii. IL-18, also called IGIF (Interferon-gamma inducing factor), is a cytokine which, like IL-12, can induce production of IFN-γ by NK and T cells, and is required for the development of optimal Th1 responses. To better understand the role of IL-18 in resistance to T. gondii, a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore its role in activating innate and adaptive production of IFN-γ and its relationship with IL-12-mediated resistance. In vitro assays revealed an unexpected synergy between IL-18 and IL-10 to stimulate NK cell production of IFN-γ. However, this synergistic effect is only applicable to NK cells but not Th1 clones, and this difference between NK and T cells is associated with differential expression of the IL-10R. IL-10 is normally associated with inhibition of the production of IFN-γ but these findings add to our knowledge of the different cytokine combinations that can activate NK cells. Analysis of the role of IL-18 in resistance to T. gondii in SCID mice reveals that although IL-18 is produced in response to infection, endogenous IL-18 appears to have a limited contribution in the activation of innate resistance this parasite. Administration of exogenous IL-18 results in enhanced resistance to T. gondii, but these protective effects are largely dependent on endogenous IL-12. Similarly, studies with mice that lack IL-12-mediated signaling through STAT4 revealed that the development of protective T cell responses required for long-term resistance to T. gondii is dependent on this signaling pathway. However, treatment with IL-18, alone or in combination with IL-2, did not lead to the development of protective T cell responses, but did activate innate resistance independently of IL-12-mediated signaling. Together, these studies add to our understanding of the role of IL-18 in the events that lead to resistance to T. gondii

Role of IL-18 in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity to toxoplasmosis

The production of IFN-γ is important to control the growth of the opportunistic infection with Toxoplasma gondii. The ability of IL-12 to stimulate NK and T cells to produce IFN-γ is important for the development of resistance against T. gondii. IL-18, also called IGIF (Interferon-gamma inducing factor), is a cytokine which, like IL-12, can induce production of IFN-γ by NK and T cells, and is required for the development of optimal Th1 responses. To better understand the role of IL-18 in resistance to T. gondii, a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore its role in activating innate and adaptive production of IFN-γ and its relationship with IL-12-mediated resistance. In vitro assays revealed an unexpected synergy between IL-18 and IL-10 to stimulate NK cell production of IFN-γ. However, this synergistic effect is only applicable to NK cells but not Th1 clones, and this difference between NK and T cells is associated with differential expression of the IL-10R. IL-10 is normally associated with inhibition of the production of IFN-γ but these findings add to our knowledge of the different cytokine combinations that can activate NK cells. Analysis of the role of IL-18 in resistance to T. gondii in SCID mice reveals that although IL-18 is produced in response to infection, endogenous IL-18 appears to have a limited contribution in the activation of innate resistance this parasite. Administration of exogenous IL-18 results in enhanced resistance to T. gondii, but these protective effects are largely dependent on endogenous IL-12. Similarly, studies with mice that lack IL-12-mediated signaling through STAT4 revealed that the development of protective T cell responses required for long-term resistance to T. gondii is dependent on this signaling pathway. However, treatment with IL-18, alone or in combination with IL-2, did not lead to the development of protective T cell responses, but did activate innate resistance independently of IL-12-mediated signaling. Together, these studies add to our understanding of the role of IL-18 in the events that lead to resistance to T. gondii

Morphology, DNA Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity of Wilsonomyces carpophilus Isolate Causing Shot-Hole Disease of Prunus divaricata and Prunus armeniaca in Wild-Fruit Forest of Western Tianshan Mountains, China

Prunus divaricata and Prunus armeniaca are important wild fruit trees that grow in part of the Western Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia, and they have been listed as endangered species in China. Shot-hole disease of stone fruits has become a major threat in the wild-fruit forest of the Western Tianshan Mountains. Twenty-five isolates were selected from diseased P. divaricata and P. armeniaca. According to the morphological characteristics of the culture, the 25 isolates were divided into eight morphological groups. Conidia were spindle-shaped, with ovate apical cells and truncated basal cells, with the majority of conidia comprising 3–4 septa, and the conidia had the same shape and color in morphological groups. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics and multilocus analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial large subunit (LSU) nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene, the fungus was identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. The 25 W. carpophilus isolates had high genetic diversity in phylogenetic analysis, and the morphological groups did not correspond to phylogenetic groups. The pathogenicity of all W. carpophilus isolates was confirmed by inoculating healthy P. divaricata and P. armeniaca leaves and fruits. The pathogen was re-isolated from all inoculated tissues, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates. There were no significant differences in the pathogenicity of different isolates inoculated on P. armeniaca and P. divaricata leaves (p > 0.05). On fruit, G053 7m3 and G052 5m2 showed significant differences in inoculation on P. armeniaca, and G010 5m2 showed extremely significant differences with G004 7m2 and G004 5m2 on P. divaricata (p < 0.05). This is the first report on shot-hole disease of P. armeniaca (wild apricot) leaves and P. divaricata induced by W. carpophilus in China

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of Human-Computer Trust (HCT) Scale in the Chinese Sample of Adults

An appropriate human-computer trust (HCT) is a key element affecting the use of Intelligent Decision Aids (IDA). Through item-level analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis, this study showed that the revised version of the HCT consisting of two sub-factors cognitive-based trust (10 items) and affect-based trust (6 items) was a valid and reliable scale to assess human's trust towards computers in China, using two groups of samples with different occupation backgrounds in China. Moreover, variables trust in automation and interpersonal trust were used to examine HCT's criterion validity, both of which showed moderate to high significant correlations with each dimension of HCT. It was the first psychometric assessment and validity test of the HCT scale in different culture using a large-scale dataset and expected to provide both theoretical and practical values for future researchers

Special Effect of Ionic Liquids on the Extraction of Flavonoid Glycosides from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat by Microwave Assistance

A microwave-assisted extraction approach based on ionic liquids of different chain lengths was successfully applied to the extraction of ten flavonoid glycosides from the flowering heads of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. The pretreated sample was quantified by HPLC-ESI-MSn. The main components were identified as flavonoid glycosides, including three luteolin glycosides, three apigenin glycosides, three kaempferide glycosides, and one acacetin glycoside according to the characteristics of the corresponding CID mass spectrometric patterns. Eight ionic liquids from the imidazolium family with different chain lengths, namely, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [Cnmim]Br, (n = 2–16) were studied as extraction medium in water. Results indicated that alkyl chain length had an irregular impact on the extraction efficiency. Moreover, the best extraction efficiency was achieved by 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide aqueous solution ([C12mim]Br). Besides the alkyl chain length of the cations, other factors influencing extraction efficiency were systematically investigated, including concentration of the IL solutions, extraction time, matrix-to-solvent ratio and irradiation power

Combined HIF-1α and SHH Up-Regulation Is a Potential Biomarker to Predict Poor Prognosis in Postoperative Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) or sonic hedgehog (SHH) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Hypoxia inhibits ferroptosis, which induces cancer cell death. However, the correlation between the combined HIF-1α and SHH up-regulation with prognosis, and the association between SHH and ferroptosis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate them. Methods We detected the expression of HIF-1α and SHH in HCC. Cox regression, clinical data, and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed. In vitro cell experiments verified the relationship between HIF-1α and SHH, and observed the invasion of hypoxic HCC cells. The correlation between SHH and ferroptosis was also analyzed. Results HIF-1α and SHH expression levels were significantly correlated with HCC (p < 0.0001). HIF-1α and SHH expression levels were found to be associated with TNM stage (p = 0.0121, p = 0.0078, respectively), vascular invasion (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively), and recurrence (p = 0.0212, p = 0.0392, respectively). The combined upregulation of HIF-1α and SHH was an independent factor for predicting the overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC (p = 0.003), who had the shortest OS (p = 0.0009). SHH paralleled the increase in HIF-1α expression, which promotes cancer cell invasion. The upregulation of SHH was related to the inhibition of the expression of ferroptosis-related factors (FANCD2, p < 0.0001 and FTH1, p = 0.0009) in HCC. Conclusion Combined HIF-1α and SHH upregulation is a potentially poor prognosis indicator in patients with HCC because the upregulation of SHH inhibits ferroptosis in hypoxic cancer cells