Acute Toxicity of the Antifouling Compound Butenolide in Non-Target Organisms

Butenolide [5-octylfuran-2(5H)-one] is a recently discovered and very promising anti-marine-fouling compound. In this study, the acute toxicity of butenolide was assessed in several non-target organisms, including micro algae, crustaceans, and fish. Results were compared with previously reported results on the effective concentrations used on fouling (target) organisms. According to OECD's guideline, the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) was 0.168 µg l−1, which was among one of the highest in representative new biocides. Mechanistically, the phenotype of butenolide-treated Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos was similar to the phenotype of the pro-caspase-3 over-expression mutant with pericardial edema, small eyes, small brains, and increased numbers of apoptotic cells in the bodies of zebrafish embryos. Butenolide also induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, with the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), Bcl-2 family proteins, and caspases and proteasomes/lysosomes involved in this process. This is the first detailed toxicity and toxicology study on this antifouling compound

Preparation and Application of Electrodes in Capacitive Deionization (CDI): a State-of-Art Review

As a promising desalination technology, capacitive deionization (CDI) have shown practicality and cost-effectiveness in brackish water treatment. Developing more efficient electrode materials is the key to improving salt removal performance. This work reviewed current progress on electrode fabrication in application of CDI. Fundamental principal (e.g. EDL theory and adsorption isotherms) and process factors (e.g. pore distribution, potential, salt type and concentration) of CDI performance were presented first. It was then followed by in-depth discussion and comparison on properties and fabrication technique of different electrodes, including carbon aerogel, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene and ordered mesoporous carbon. Finally, polyaniline as conductive polymer and its potential application as CDI electrode-enhancing materials were also discussed

Size and duration of zidovudine benefit in 1003 HIV-infected patients: U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force natural history data

Objectives: The study's objectives were to determine the size and duration of benefits of early versus delayed versus late treatment with zidovudine (ZDV) on disease progression and mortality in HIV-infected patients, and whether patients rapidly progressing before ZDV treatment had a different outcome from those not rapidly progressing before ZDV. Design: The design was an inception cohort of 1003 HIV-infected patients. One hundred and seventy-four of the 1003 patients were treated before CD4 counts fell to < 400 x 109/L, ('early treatment'); 183 of 1003 patients were treated after CD4 counts fell to <400 x 109/L but before clinical disease developed ('delayed treatment'); and 646 of the 1003 patients had either been treated after clinical disease developed or had not been treated at all by the end of follow-up ('late treatment'). Outcomes were progression to clinical HIV disease and mortality. Results: The relative risk (RR) of progression for early versus delayed treatment was 0.58 (p < .03), and durability of ZDV benefits on progression was estimated at no more than 2.0 years; however, this estimate had wide confidence intervals. The RR of progression for delayed versus late treatment was 0.54 p < .0001, and durability of ZDV benefits was estimated at 1.74 years; this estimate had narrow confidence intervals. Survival was better for the early versus delayed treatment (RR = 0.55), but this difference was not statistically significant. In the subgroup of patients with more rapid CD4 decline prior to ZDV therapy, significant benefits on progression were observed for early versus delayed ZDV therapy (RR = 0.42, p = .02) and delayed versus late ZDV therapy (RR = 0.51; p = .0004). Duration of benefit was estimated to be 4.5 years (early versus delayed) and 1.7 years (delayed versus late). For patients with less rapid pre-ZDV decline in CD4 levels, a significant progression benefit was observed for delayed versus late therapy (RR = 0.50; p = .02). Duration of benefit in this subgroup was estimated to be 1.8 years. No significant benefit was found for early versus delayed treatment (RR = 1.12) in the less rapid pre-ZDV CD4 cell decline subgroup. Conclusions: Early treatment compared with delayed treatment was associated with a sizable reduction in HIV progression, but the duration of benefits was estimated to last only about 2 years. Delayed treatment compared with late treatment with ZDV was associated with substantial reduction of progression, but this reduction was also clearly limited in duration. Benefits on progression and mortality for the early treatment group were heavily dependent on the pre-ZDV CD4 slope. In the subgroup of patients with the most rapid pre-ZDV CD4 cell declines, the duration of benefit was much longer, possibly as long as 4 years

Adipose-specific knockout of Seipin/Bscl2 results in progressive lipodystrophy

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is the most severe form of human lipodystrophy, characterized by an almost complete loss of adipose tissue and severe insulin resistance. BSCL2 is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/SEIPIN gene, which is upregulated during adipogenesis and abundantly expressed in the adipose tissue. The physiological function of SEIPIN in mature adipocytes, however, remains to be elucidated. Here, we generated adipose-specific Seipin knockout (ASKO) mice, which exhibit adipocyte hypertrophy with enlarged lipid droplets, reduced lipolysis, adipose tissue inflammation, progressive loss of white and brown adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. Lipidomic and microarray analyses revealed accumulation/imbalance of lipid species, including ceramides, in ASKO adipose tissue as well as increased endoplasmic reticulum stress. Interestingly, the ASKO mice almost completely phenocopy the fat-specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (Pparγ) knockout (FKO-γ) mice. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly improved a number of metabolic parameters of the ASKOmice, including insulin sensitivity. Our results therefore demonstrate a critical role of SEIPIN in maintaining lipid homeostasis and function of adipocytes and reveal an intimate relationship between SEIPIN and PPAR-γ. © 2014 by the American Diabetes Association

Induction of IL-10-producing type 2 innate lymphoid cells by allergen immunotherapy is associated with clinical response.

The role of innate immune cells in allergen immunotherapy that confers immune tolerance to the sensitizing allergen is unclear. Here, we report a role of interleukin-10-producing type 2 innate lymphoid cells (IL-10+ ILC2s) in modulating grass-pollen allergy. We demonstrate that KLRG1+ but not KLRG1- ILC2 produced IL-10 upon activation with IL-33 and retinoic acid. These cells attenuated Th responses and maintained epithelial cell integrity. IL-10+ KLRG1+ ILC2s were lower in patients with grass-pollen allergy when compared to healthy subjects. In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we demonstrated that the competence of ILC2 to produce IL-10 was restored in patients who received grass-pollen sublingual immunotherapy. The underpinning mechanisms were associated with the modification of retinol metabolic pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in the ILCs. Altogether, our findings underscore the contribution of IL-10+ ILC2s in the disease-modifying effect by allergen immunotherapy