Effects of tMa-Xin-Di-Tan decoction on ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma in mice

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the Ma-Xin-Di-Tan (MXDT) decoction on  ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma (AA) in mice.Methods: Asthma was induced in mice by ovalbumin (OVA) injection, and different doses of MXDT (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 28 days. Pathological changes in lung tissues were examined, while levels of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4,  GATA-binding protein (GATA)-3, Ox40 ligand (OX40L), indoleamine  2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), and T box expressed in T cells (T-bet) levels were determined in lung tissues by western blot analysis.Results: MXDT inhibited the inflammatory reaction of lung tissues in  OVA-challenged mice. After treatment with MXDT, levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and TGF-β were downregulated, whereas IFN-γ levels were upregulated. In addition,  MXDT decreased TLR-4, GATA-3, and OX40L levels in lung tissues but increased the expression of Foxp3, T-bet, and IDO.Conclusion: MXDT has antiallergic effects on OVA-induced AA in mice; the possible molecular mechanisms might involve the inhibition of inflammatory reactions and modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance.Keywords: Ma-Xin-Di-Tan decoction, Allergic asthma, Inflammatory reactions, Th1/Th

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Comprehensive evaluation model of the urban low-carbon passenger transportation structure based on DPSIR

Optimizing urban passenger transportation structure is an effective way to promote the low-carbon development of cities. Effective evaluation is an important basis for optimization. To improve the validity of the evaluation, a dual-criteria layer evaluation model of the urban low-carbon passenger transportation structure based on the Drive-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model and life cycle theory is proposed. The Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and the G1 method were combined to determine the subjective weight. The Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) method and the Entropy method are used to determine the objective weight. The equilibrium weight, which reaches a compromise between the subjective weight and the objective weight through the idea of game theory, can be regarded as an optimal equilibrium based on the DEMATEL-G1 method and the CRITIC-Entropy method. The comprehensive value can be obtained based on the equilibrium weight. The validity of the model is verified by taking Qingdao as an example. The research results indicate that the structure of urban passenger transportation in terms of low carbon in Qingdao from 2015 to 2020 has improved significantly. The length of urban rail transit lines is the key influencing factor and the restricting factor for the optimization of urban passenger transportation structure in Qingdao. The evaluation results provide a reference basis for evaluating and optimizing the urban passenger transportation structure in large and medium-sized cities, especially in coastal and hilly cities