Image_1_Mycobacterium smegmatis Induces Neurite Outgrowth and Differentiation in an Autophagy-Independent Manner in PC12 and C17.2 Cells.PDF

<p>Both pathogenic and non-pathogenic Mycobacteria can induce the differentiation of immune cells into dendritic cells (DC) or DC-like cells. In addition, pathogenic Mycobacteria is found to stimulate cell differentiation in the nerves system. Whether non-pathogenic Mycobacteria interacts with nerve cells remains unknown. In this study, we found that co-incubation with fast-growing Mycobacteria smegmatis induced neuron-like morphological changes of PC12 and C17.2 cells. Moreover, the M. smegmatis culture supernatant which was ultrafiltrated through a membrane with a 10 kDa cut-off, induced neurite outgrowth and differentiation in an autophagy-independent pathway in PC12 and C17.2 cells. Further analysis showed that IFN-γ production and activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were involved in the neural differentiation. In conclusion, our finding demonstrated that non-pathogenic M. smegmatis was able to promote neuronal differentiation by its extracellular proteins, which might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.</p

Nanoplate-Built ZnO Hollow Microspheres Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles and Their Enhanced Photocatalytic and Gas-Sensing Properties

Hierarchical porous ZnO microspheres decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal route. The hierarchical ZnO superstructure was constructed of interconnected nanoplates with numerous voids. Photoluminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements demonstrated that the main defects were oxygen vacancies (<i>V</i>_O^•) with minor interstitial oxygen (O_i^–) in the hierarchical ZnO hollow microspheres. The as-prepared hierarchical ZnO hollow microspheres and the AuNPs used to decorate them were examined for their photocatalytic degradation ability and as gas sensors. The photodegradation results demonstrated that the degradation rate constant on rhodamine B for undecorated ZnO microspheres was 0.43 min^–1, which increased to 1.76 min^–1 for AuNP-decorated ZnO microspheres. The AuNP-functionalized ZnO microspheres displayed superior sensing properties, with a 3-fold enhancement in their gas response to 1 ppb of dibutyl phthalate

Table_1_Development of a method and an assessment construct for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales.DOCX

BackgroundWith the number of people with dementia dramatically increasing over time and dementia becoming a major health concern worldwide, scales have been developed to assess the stigma socially attached to this neurodegenerative disorder. There are, however, almost no available methods and assessment constructs for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales.ObjectiveTo develop such a method and such an assessment construct by translating the Dementia Public Stigma Scale (DPSS) into standard written Chinese.MethodsWe translated the DPSS following three major steps: (1) literal translation and mistranslation identification; (2) panel discussions of items with problematic translations; and (3) the final checking of the translated scale. Informed by the translation and adaptation process, we then developed a method for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales. Based on this method and our panel discussions, we finally proposed a tripartite assessment construct for quality evaluation of the translation of dementia public stigma scales.ResultsForward and backward translation did not work sufficiently in dementia public stigma scale translation. Mistranslations were induced by three major causes, including confusion caused by multiple Chinese meanings of the immediate Chinese direct translation, the lack of immediate Chinese direct translation because of varying positive/negative emotions attached to multiple translations, and the lack of culture-specific idioms in Chinese. Based on these factors, we proposed a tripartite dementia translation assessment construct. Following this assessment tool, we determined the best Chinese version that could further be tested for its psychometric properties among the public.ConclusionA method and an assessment construct for person-centered translation of dementia public stigma scales were developed. Such a method and such an assessment construct could be followed in the translation of dementia public stigma scales and the translation evaluation of such scales.</p

Plasmon-Induced Accelerated Exciton Recombination Dynamics in ZnO/Ag Hybrid Nanolasers

The recent development of plasmonics has break through the optical diffraction limit and realized ultracompact nanolasers that can directly generate coherent optical fields at the nanometre scale. However, it remains to a profound understanding on the light and matter interactions in so-called Spaser, especially on the coupling mechanism between the surface plasmon and exciton although many reports have claimed surface plasmonic lasers. Here, we demonstrated a ZnO/SiO₂/Ag structural hybrid plasmonic nanolaser and compared with a conventional photonic laser systematically. We proposed that these two kinds of lasers originated from the entirely different optical gain mechanisms, and resulted in the generation of lasing mode shift. Time-resolved spectra collected from these two samples at room temperature presented the dynamic process of exciton recombination and revealed the energy-transfer from excitons to SPs. Our research provides an important theoretical and experimental basis for the practical application of plasmonic nanolasers in the future

ROC curves of the independent factors based on retrospective study for predicting relapse.

<p>ROC curve of the Ig^DNA in differentiating post-treatment relapse with AUC 0.678 (A), ROC curve of Ig^DNA/Ig^HBeAg with AUC 0.754 (B) and Ig^DNA/Ig^HBeAg combined with consolidation duration with AUC 0.824 (C).</p

Cumulative relapse rate among subgroups with different baseline factors.

<p>Cumulative relapse rates in patients with baseline HBV DNA level > 1.0E+7IU/ml were higher than HBV DNA level between 1.0E+5 IU/ml and 1.0E+7 IU/ml, and HBV DNA level < 1.0E+5IU/ml (A), with baseline HBeAg level < 200COI higher than HBeAg level between 200COI and 1000COI, and HBeAg>1000COI (B), consolidation treatment > 12 months lower than ≤ 12 months group (C), and HBV DNA level ≥ 1.0E+07IU/ml plus HBeAg level < 200COI at baseline higher than the other three groups with statistically significant differences (D).</p

The predictive effect of baseline Ig^DNA/Ig^HBeAg combined with consolidation duration in prospective study.

<p>The predictive effect of baseline Ig^DNA/Ig^HBeAg combined with consolidation duration in prospective study.</p

Functional group dominance and not productivity drives species richness

<p><b><i>Background</i></b>: There is a lack of consensus about the productivity–richness relationship, with several recent studies suggesting that it is not productivity but other factors that are the important drivers that determine species richness.</p> <p><b><i>Aims</i></b>: Here, we examine the relationship between productivity, functional group dominance and plant species richness at the plot scale in Tibetan Plateau meadows. These alpine meadows are ideal to examine the species productivity-richness relationship because they have a very high species richness, a large gradient in productivity, and can be dominated by either graminoids (grasses and sedges) or forbs.</p> <p><b><i>Methods</i></b>: We measured plant species richness and above-ground biomass along a natural gradient of functional group abundance in 44 plots distributed across five natural, winter-grazed but otherwise undisturbed sites in the eastern part of the Qing-Hai Tibetan Plateau, in Gansu province, China in 2008.</p> <p><b><i>Results</i></b>: Graminoid abundance (i.e. graminoid biomass as percent of the total above-ground biomass) explained 39% of plot differences in species richness while neither productivity nor the biomass of the three most abundant plant species, either individually or combined, were a significant predictor of species richness.</p> <p><b><i>Conclusions</i></b>: Our results show that within these alpine meadows, a shift from graminoid to forb dominance, rather than the individual dominant species or productivity itself, is strongly correlated with species richness. Thus, differences in functional group abundance can be a strong driver of observed plant species richness patterns.</p

Factors associated with post-treatment relapse in univariate logistic regression model.

<p>Factors associated with post-treatment relapse in univariate logistic regression model.</p

Factors associated with post-treatment relapse in multivariate logistic regression model.

<p>Factors associated with post-treatment relapse in multivariate logistic regression model.</p