Antecedent infections in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a single-center, prospective study

Objective: To investigate the spectrum of antecedent infections in Chinese patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and analyze the infecti

Suppressive Effects on the Immune Response and Protective Immunity to a JEV DNA Vaccine by Co-administration of a GM-CSF-Expressing Plasmid in Mice

As a potential cytokine adjuvant of DNA vaccines, granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has received considerable attention due to its essential role in the recruitment of antigen-presenting cells, differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells. However, in our recent study of a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) DNA vaccine, co-inoculation of a GM-CSF plasmid dramatically suppressed the specific IgG response and resulted in decreased protection against JEV challenge. It is known that GM-CSF has been used in clinic to treat neutropenia for repopulating myeloid cells, and as an adjuvant in vaccine studies; it has shown various effects on the immune response. Therefore, in this study, we characterized the suppressive effects on the immune response to a JEV DNA vaccine by the co-administration of the GM-CSF-expressing plasmid and clarified the underlying mechanisms of the suppression in mice. Our results demonstrated that co-immunization with GM-CSF caused a substantial dampening of the vaccine-induced antibody responses. The suppressive effect was dose- and timing-dependent and likely related to the immunogenicity of the antigen. The suppression was associated with the induction of immature dendritic cells and the expansion of regulatory T cells but not myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Collectively, our findings not only provide valuable information for the application of GM-CSF in clinic and using as a vaccine adjuvant but also offer further insight into the understanding of the complex roles of GM-CSF

Ascorbate Biosynthesis during Early Fruit Development Is the Main Reason for Its Accumulation in Kiwi

Background: Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a unique antioxidant as well as an enzyme cofactor. Although it has multiple roles in plants, it is unclear how its accumulation is controlled at the expression level, especially in sink tissues. Kiwifruit (Actinidia) is well-known for its high ascorbate content. Our objective was to determine whether AsA accumulates in the fruits primarily through biosynthesis or because it is imported from the foliage. Methodology/Principal Findings: We systematically investigated AsA levels, biosynthetic capacity, and mRNA expression of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis in kiwi (A. deliciosa cv. Qinmei). Recycling and AsA localization were also monitored during fruit development and among different tissue types. Over time, the amount of AsA, with its capacity for higher biosynthesis and lower recycling, peaked at 30 days after anthesis (DAA), and then decreased markedly up to 60 DAA before declining more slowly. Expression of key genes showed similar patterns of change, except for L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase and L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase (GPP). However, GPP had good correlation with the rate of AsA accumulation. The expression of these genes could be detected in phloem of stem as well as petiole of leaf and fruit. Additionally, fruit petioles had greater ascorbate amounts, although that was the site of lowest expression by most genes. Fruit microtubule tissues also had higher AsA. However, exogenous applications of AsA to those petioles did not lead to its transport into fruits, and distribution of ascorbate was cell-specific in the fruits, with more accumulation occurring in large

Coupling dynamics of a geared multibody system supported by Elastohydrodynamic lubricated cylindrical joints

A comprehensive computational methodology to study the coupling dynamics of a geared multibody system supported by ElastoHydroDynamic (EHD) lubricated cylindrical joints is proposed throughout this work. The geared multibody system is described by using the Absolute-Coordinate-Based (ACB) method that combines the Natural Coordinate Formulation (NCF) describing rigid bodies and the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF) characterizing the flexible bodies. Based on the finite-short bearing approach, the EHD lubrication condition for the cylindrical joints supporting the geared system is considered here. The lubrication forces developed at the cylindrical joints are obtained by solving the Reynolds’ equation via the finite difference method. For the evaluation of the normal contact forces of gear pair along the Line Of Action (LOA), the time-varying mesh stiffness, mesh damping and Static Transmission Error (STE) are utilized. The time-varying mesh stiffness is calculated by using the Chaari’s methodology. The forces of sliding friction along the Off-Line-Of-Action (OLOA) are computed by using the Coulomb friction models with a time-varying coefficient of friction under the EHD lubrication condition of gear teeth. Finally, two numerical examples of application are presented to demonstrate and validate the proposed methodology.National Natural Science Foundations of China under Grant 11290151, 11221202 and 11002022, Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project under Grant YETP1201

Modeling elastohydrodynamic mechanical joints under the framework of multibody systems

In this work, a methodology for dynamic analysis of rigid-flexible multibody systems with elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubricated joints is presented. The EHD lubricated cylindrical joint is formulated by the Natural Coordinate Formulation (NCF) and the twenty-node hexahedral element of Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF), being the lubricant pressure determined through the resolution of the Reynolds’ equation employing the finite difference method. The outcomes are validated with those obtained by using the commercial software ADINA. It is shown that the bearing flexibility plays a significant role in the system responses, extends the lubricant distribution space and reduces the lubricant pressure.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Dual-responsive deformation of a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer film with complex molecular alignment

Crosslinked liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs) containing azobenzene mesogens have been developed as stimuli-responsive materials, which can undergo photodeformation and thus convert light energy into mechanical force. The deformation behavior of CLCPs is strongly influenced by the alignment of the mesogens; however, a precise control of the alignment domain at micro-scale is still a challenge. Here we report complex molecular alignment in the CLCP film by using photoalignment technology. First, azo dye SD1 is aligned in-plane by UV light with a discrete alternating striped director profile. The SD1 molecules in adjacent strips are aligned orthogonal, and the widths of the strips are controlled in several hundred micrometers by a photomask with grating patterns. Then the liquid crystal molecules in the CLCP film are aligned by SD1 through the anchoring effect on one side (SD1 side), and aligned perpendicular by the polyimide (PI) alignment layer on the other side (PI side). With these alignments, two kinds of splayed structures are formed through the depth of the film. When irradiated by UV light, the film bends toward the SD1 side with the bending direction along the diagonal of the film, determined by the resultant direction of molecular alignment on the SD1 side. When irradiated by blue light and heat, the bending direction is along the edge of the film. This dual-responsive deformable film with complex alignment is anticipated to be used in shape-changing biomedical devices, multiple controllable switches, and microactuators