5-BDBD ameliorates an OVA-induced allergic asthma by the reduction of Th2 cytokines production

Objective(s): P2X4R is expressed in immunocyte and lung tissues. It has been a focus in inflammatory responses recently. This study investigated whether blockage of P2X4R attenuates allergic inflammation by modulating T cell response in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Materials and Methods: Ovalbumin was used to sensitize and challenge for a mouse model. Intranasal application of 5-BDBD, P2X4R antagonist, were performed 3 hr before each airway allergen challenge. The lung was evaluated for P2X4R by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. Th1/Th2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by ELISA. T-bet, Gata-3, and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot or real-time PCR. Results: P2X4R was overexpressed in the lung after allergen challenge compared with the control group. Blockage of P2X4R decreased inflammation in the lung, IL-4 expression was reduced as well as IL-5; IFN-γ expression was elevated in BALF in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Moreover, blockage of P2X4R inhibited ovalbumin-induced increased Gata-3 level and decreased T-bet level. Conclusion: These findings suggest that 5-BDBD ameliorates an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic attack by the downregulation of cytokines related to the Th2 cell

Altered Functional Connectivity of the Basal Nucleus of Meynert in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Background: Cholinergic dysfunction plays an important role in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM) provides the main source of cortical cholinergic innervation. Previous studies have characterized structural changes of the cholinergic basal forebrain in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, whether and how functional connectivity of the BNM (BNM-FC) is altered in MCI remains unknown.Objective: The aim of this study was to identify alterations in BNM-FC in individuals with MCI as compared to healthy controls (HCs), and to examine the relationship between these alterations with neuropsychological measures in individuals with MCI.Method: One-hundred-and-one MCI patients and 103 HCs underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Imaging data were processed with SPM8 and CONN software. BNM-FC was examined via correlation in low frequency fMRI signal fluctuations between the BNM and all other brain voxels. Group differences were examined with a covariance analysis with age, gender, education level, mean framewise displacement (FD) and global correlation (GCOR) as nuisance covariates. Pearson’s correlation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the BNM-FC and clinical assessments.Result: Compared with HCs, individuals with MCI showed significantly decreased BNM-FC in the left insula extending into claustrum (insula/claustrum). Furthermore, greater decrease in BNM-FC with insula/claustrum was associated with more severe impairment in immediate recall during Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) in MCI patients.Conclusion: MCI is associated with changes in BNM-FC to the insula/claustrum in relation to cognitive impairments. These new findings may advance research of the cholinergic bases of cognitive dysfunction during healthy aging and in individuals at risk of developing AD

Cluster-randomized controlled trial of the effects of free glasses on purchase of children's glasses in China:The PRICE (Potentiating Rural Investment in Children's Eyecare) study

Offering free glasses can be important to increase children's wear. We sought to assess whether "Upgrade glasses" could avoid reduced glasses sales when offering free glasses to children in China.In this cluster-randomized, controlled trial, children with uncorrected visual acuity (VA)6/12 in both eyes at 138 randomly-selected primary schools in 9 counties in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, China, were randomized by school to one of four groups: glasses prescription only (Control); Free Glasses; Free Glasses + offer of $15 Upgrade Glasses; Free Glasses + offer of$30 Upgrade Glasses. Spectacle purchase (main outcome) was assessed 6 months after randomization.Among 10,234 children screened, 882 (8.62%, mean age 10.6 years, 45.5% boys) were eligible and randomized: 257 (29.1%) at 37 schools to Control; 253 (28.7%) at 32 schools to Free Glasses; 187 (21.2%) at 31 schools to Free Glasses + $15 Upgrade; and 185 (21.0$30 Upgrade. Baseline ownership among these children needing glasses was 11.8% (104/882), and 867 (98.3%) children completed follow-up. Glasses purchase was significantly less likely when free glasses were given: Control: 59/250 = 23.6%; Free glasses: 32/252 = 12.7%, P = 0.010. Offering Upgrade Glasses eliminated this difference: Free + $15 Upgrade: 39/183 = 21.3$30 Upgrade: 38/182 = 20.9%, RR 0.91 (0.59, 1.42), P = 0.69.Upgrade glasses can prevent reductions in glasses purchase when free spectacles are provided, providing important program income.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02231606. Registered on 31 August 2014

Disrupted Functional Connectivity of Cornu Ammonis Subregions in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Longitudinal Resting-State fMRI Study

Background: The cornu ammonis (CA), as part of the hippocampal formation, represents a primary target region of neural degeneration in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Previous studies have revealed subtle structural deficits of the CA subregions (CA1-CA3, bilateral) in aMCI; however, it is not clear how the network function is impacted by aMCI. The present study examined longitudinal changes in resting state functional connectivity (FC) of each CA subregion and how these changes relate to neuropsychological profiles in aMCI.Methods: Twenty aMCI and 20 healthy control (HC) participants underwent longitudinal cognitive assessment and resting state functional MRI scans at baseline and 15 months afterward. Imaging data were processed with published routines in SPM8 and CONN software. Two-way analysis of covariance was performed with covariates of age, gender, education level, follow up interval, gray matter volume, mean FD, as well as global correlation (GCOR). Pearson’s correlation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the longitudinal changes in CA subregional FC and neuropsychological performance in aMCI subjects.Results: Resting state FC between the right CA1 and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) as well as between the left CA2 and bilateral cuneal cortex (CC) were decreased in aMCI subjects as compared to HC. Longitudinal decrease in FC between the right CA1 and right MTG was correlated with reduced capacity of episodic memory in aMCI subjects.Conclusion: The current findings suggest functional alterations in the CA subregions. CA1 connectivity with the middle temporal cortex may represent an important neural marker of memory dysfunction in aMCI

Performance Analysis of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Based Syngas

External chemical reactors for steam reforming and water gas shift reactions are needed for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system using syngas fuel. For the preheating of syngas and stable steam reforming reaction at 600 °C, residual hydrogen from a fuel cell and a certain amount of additional syngas are burned. The combustion temperature is calculated and the molar ratio of the syngas into burner and steam reformer is determined. Based on thermodynamics and electrochemistry, the electric power density and energy conversion efficiency of a PEM fuel cell based syngas are expressed. The effects of the temperature, the hydrogen utilization factor at the anode, and the molar ratio of the syngas into burner and steam reformer on the performance of a PEM fuel cell are discussed. To achieve the maximum power density or efficiency, the key parameters are determined. This manuscript presents the detailed operating process of a PEM fuel cell, the allocation of the syngas for combustion and electric generation, and the feasibility of a PEM fuel cell using syngas