Adenovirus-mediated stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha gene transfer improves cardiac structure and function after experimental myocardial infarction through angiogenic and antifibrotic actions

Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1) is not only a major chemotactic factor, but also an inducer of angiogenesis. The effects of SDF-1α on the left ventricular remodeling in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model were analyzed. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery in rats. 0.5 × 1010 pfu/ml AdV-SDF-1 or 0.5 × 1010 pfu/ml Adv-LacZ were immediately injected into the infarcted myocardium, 120 μl cell-free PBS were injected into the infarcted region or the myocardial wall in control, and sham group, respectively. We found that AdV-SDF-1 group had higher LVSP and ±dP/dtmax, lower LVEDP compared to control or Adv-LacZ group. The number of c-Kit+ stem cells, and gene expression of SDF-1, VEGF and bFGF were obviously increased, which was associated with reduced infarct size, thicker left ventricle wall, greater vascular density and cardiocytes density in infarcted hearts of AdV-SDF-1 group. Furthermore, the expression of collagen type I and type III mRNA, and collagen accumulation in the infarcted area was lower, which was associated with decreased TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression in AdV-SDF-1 group. Conclusion: SDF-1α could improve cardiac structure and function after Myocardial infarction through angiogenic and anti-fibrotic actions

Design of aluminum nitride metalens for broadband ultraviolet incidence routing

Ultraviolet (UV) photonics-based device and equipment have various applications in sterilization, military covert communication, medical treatment, nanofabrication, gem identification and so on. The traditional constituent UV components are bulky, inefficient, expensive and easily aging under UV radiation. An all-dielectric metasurface offers a promising way to control the amplitude, polarization and phase of light by engineering the size, shape and distribution of its constituent elements. However, UV components based on all-dielectric metasurfaces are difficult to be realized, due to significant absorption loss for most dielectric materials at the UV region. Here we demonstrate the design of a UV metalens, composed of high-aspect-ratio aluminum nitride nanorods. The in-plane on-axis, off-axis and out-of-plane focusing characteristics have been investigated at representative UVA (375 nm), UVB (308 nm) and UVC (244 nm) wavelengths, respectively. Furthermore, we design UV router for mono-wavelength and multiple wavelengths, that is, guiding UV light to designated different spatial positions. Our work is promising for the development of UV photonic devices and would facilitate the integration and miniaturization of the UV nanophotonics

Que decreases the number of infiltrating T cells in spinal cord.

<p>Panels display the number of infiltrating CD4/8 positive T cells in the EAE spinal cord with/without Que treatment. <b>A–C</b>: CD4⁺ cells were not observed in the spinal cord prior to immunization (<b>A</b>). An extensive infiltration of CD4⁺ cells was detected throughout the spinal cord and enriched in the white matter of the EAE mice (<b>B</b>). Que treatment significantly decreases the amount of infiltrating CD4⁺ T cells (<b>C</b>) (N = 5, *, <i>P<</i>0.05). <b>E–G</b>: CD8⁺ cells display a similar decrease after Que treatment (N = 5, *, <i>p<</i>0.05), but the overall extent of CD8⁺ cells detected was much less than that of CD4⁺ cells. Quantification of the staining is depicted in the bar graphs (<b>D and H</b>). Scale bar <b>A–G</b> = 0.5 mm, <b>F’</b> = 50 µm.</p

Que inhibits the activation of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes in spinal cord.

<p>Immunofluorescent staining with anti-CD68 and CD11b antibodies to demonstrate the number of microglia/macrophages in the EAE model with/without Que treatment, A. Numerous CD11b⁺ microglia/macrophages were observed in the EAE model which were greatly decreased after Que treatment. B. CD68 staining displayed a similar staining pattern after Que treatment. C. GFAP immunofluorescent staining displayed an increase in reactive astrocytes in the spinal cord, which was greatly decreased after Que treatment (N = 5, *, <i>p<</i>0.05). Quantification of the immunostaining is present in the bar graphs. Scale bar A–C = 0.2 mm.</p

Table_1_Immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine coadministered with trivalent split-virion inactivated influenza vaccine: A phase 4, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial in China.docx

BackgroundFew data exist on the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine (EV71 vaccine) coadministered with trivalent split-virion inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) in infants.MethodsThis trial was a phase 4, randomized, controlled trial. Infants aged 6-11 months were eligible, with no history of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and no history of EV71 vaccine or any influenza vaccine. Eligible infants were randomly assigned to EV71+IIV3 group, EV71 group or IIV3 group. Blood samples were collected on day 0 and 56.ResultsBetween September 2019 and June 2020, 1151 infants met eligibility criteria and 1134 infants were enrolled. 1045 infants were included in the per-protocol population, including 347 in the EV71+IIV3 group, 343 in the EV71 group, and 355 in the IIV3 group. The seroconversion rate (98.56% vs 98.54%; seroconversion rates difference of 0.02% [95% CI: 0.70-0.98]) and GMT (419.05 vs 503.72; GMT ratio of 0.83 [95% CI 0.70 - 0.98]) of EV71 neutralizing antibodies in the EV71+IIV3 group was not inferior to those in the EV71 group. The non-inferiority results for influenza virus antibodies (A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B) showed that the seroconversion rates and GMTs of the EV71+IIV3 group were non-inferiority to those of the IIV3 group. Systemic and local adverse event rates were similar between groups. None of serious adverse events (SAEs) were related to vaccination.ConclusionsCoadministration of the EV71 vaccine with IIV3 was safe and did not interfere with immunogenicity. These findings support a viable immunization strategy for infants with the EV71 vaccine coadministered with IIV3 in China. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04091880.</p