Generation of Biotechnology-Derived Flavobacterium columnare Ghosts by PhiX174 Gene E-Mediated Inactivation and the Potential as Vaccine Candidates against Infection in Grass Carp

Flavobacterium columnare is a bacterial pathogen causing high mortality rates for many freshwater fish species. Fish vaccination with a safe and effective vaccine is a potential approach for prevention and control of fish disease. Here, in order to produce bacterial ghost vaccine, a specific Flavobacterium lysis plasmid pBV-E-cat was constructed by cloning PhiX174 lysis gene E and the cat gene with the promoter of F. columnare into the prokaryotic expression vector pBV220. The plasmid was successfully electroporated into the strain F. columnare G4cpN22 after curing of its endogenous plasmid. F. columnare G4cpN22 ghosts (FCGs) were generated for the first time by gene E-mediated lysis, and the vaccine potential of FCG was investigated in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) by intraperitoneal route. Fish immunized with FCG showed significantly higher serum agglutination titers and bactericidal activity than fish immunized with FKC or PBS. Most importantly, after challenge with the parent strain G4, the relative percent survival (RPS) of fish in FCG group (70.9%) was significantly higher than FKC group (41.9%). These results showed that FCG could confer immune protection against F. columnare infection. As a nonliving whole cell envelope preparation, FCG may provide an ideal alternative to pathogen-based vaccines against columnaris in aquaculture

Strategic business model typologies evident in the Chinese real-estate industry

The Chinese real estate industry has emerged over recent decades as one of the key drivers of Chinese economic growth and attracted thousands of players nationwide. Yet, despite the continuing importance of the real-estate industry in China, there has not been any work done to identify nor describe the strategic business models used by enterprises within the sector. This study fills this gap in the literature. This paper begins by building a framework for studying the strategic business models used within the Chinese real-estate industry, and then goes on to identify the generic models that exist in the industry. A two-step cluster analysis of 117 Chinese real-estate companies was carried out over seven parameters identified in the literature as impacting business models: 1) clients, 2) products offered, 3) market locale, 4) financial structure, 5) value chain embeddedness, 6) core competency, and, 7) revenue source. Five generic strategic business models that characterize the Chinese real-estate industry were identified: 1) commercial property model, 2) government servicing model, 3) cost efficiency model, 4) asset management model, and, 5) high-turnover model. The findings will assist industry practitioners in evaluating and informing their own competitive positions within the Chinese real-estate industry

Improving effect of Platycodin D on ethanol-induced fatty liver via Keape-NRF2-are signal path

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Multidose Streptozotocin Induction of Diabetes in BALB/c Mice Induces a Dominant Oxidative Macrophage and a Conversion of T(H)1 to T(H)2 Phenotypes During Disease Progression

Macrophages (Mp) are implicated in both early and late phases in type 1 diabetes development. Recent study has suggested that a balance between reductive Mp (RMp) and oxidative Mp (OMp) is possible to regulate T(H)1/T(H)2 balance. The aim of this study is to investigate the redox status of peritoneal Mp and its cytokine profile during the development of autoimmune diabetes induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin in BALB/c mice. Meanwhile, the polarization of T(H)1/T(H)2 of splenocytes or thymocytes was also examined. We found that peritoneal Mp appeared as an “incomplete” OMp phenotype with decreased icGSH along with disease progression. The OMp showed reduced TNF-α, IL-12, and NO production as well as defective phagocytosis activity compared to nondiabetic controls; however, there was no significant difference with IL-6 production. On the other hand, the levels of IFN-γ or IL-4 of splenocytes in diabetic mice were significantly higher compared to the control mice. The ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 was also higher at the early stage of diabetes and then declined several weeks later after the occurrence of diabetes, suggesting a pathogenetic T(H)1 phenotype from the beginning gradually to a tendency of T(H)2 during the development of diabetes. Our results implied that likely OMp may be relevant in the development of type 1 diabetes; however, it is not likely the only factor regulating the T(H)1(H)/T(H)2 balance in MLD-STZ-induced diabetic mice

IMPROVING EFFECT OF PLATYCODIN D ON ETHANOL-INDUCED FATTY LIVER VIA KEAP1-NRF2-ARE SIGNAL PATH

Background: Platycodin D (PD) is one of the important active ingredients in the root of the Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC (PG), a traditional medicine with many pharmacological activities, especially hepatoprotective activity. There are some researches on the mechanism of liver protection, but it is not very clear. It is necessary to investigate it deeply. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of PD on ethanol-induced fatty liver (EFL) and investigate the possible mechanism, the EFL models of rats and BRL-3A cells were set up and treated with PD of 20, 30 mg/kg body weight/day for four weeks, respectively. The hepatic histochemistry, liver function enzymes, oxidative stress levels, antioxidant enzymes and signal path enzymes were assayed. Results: PD significantly (

Spin-phonon scattering-induced low thermal conductivity in a van der Waals layered ferromagnet Cr2_2Si2_2Te6_6

Layered van der Waals (vdW) magnets are prominent playgrounds for developing magnetoelectric, magneto-optic and spintronic devices. In spintronics, particularly in spincaloritronic applications, low thermal conductivity ($\kappa$) is highly desired. Here, by combining thermal transport measurements with density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate low $\kappa$ down to 1 W m$^{-1}$ K$^{-1}$ in a typical vdW ferromagnet Cr$_2$Si$_2$Te$_6$. In the paramagnetic state, development of magnetic fluctuations way above $T_\mathrm{c}=$ 33 K strongly reduces $\kappa$ via spin-phonon scattering, leading to low $\kappa \sim$ 1 W m$^{-1}$ K$^{-1}$ over a wide temperature range, in comparable to that of amorphous silica. In the magnetically ordered state, emergence of resonant magnon-phonon scattering limits $\kappa$ below $\sim$ 2 W m$^{-1}$ K$^{-1}$, which would be three times larger if magnetic scatterings were absent. Application of magnetic fields strongly suppresses the spin-phonon scattering, giving rise to large enhancements of $\kappa$. Our calculations well capture these complex behaviours of $\kappa$ by taking the temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent spin-phonon scattering into account. Realization of low $\kappa$ which is easily tunable by magnetic fields in Cr$_2$Si$_2$Te$_6$, may further promote spincaloritronic applications of vdW magnets. Our theoretical approach may also provide a generic understanding of spin-phonon scattering, which appears to play important roles in various systems.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Advanced Functional Material

Pharmacokinetics of Mycophenolate Mofetil and Development of Limited Sampling Strategy in Early Kidney Transplant Recipients

The mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dose management for optimization of post-transplant treatment especially the early postoperative phase has been well recognized. MMF is a pro-drug of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and is widely used in Chinese renal transplant patients. Until now, the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics and model for the area under the concentration–time curve for the 12-h (h) of exposure (AUC0-12h) of MPA (MPA-AUC0-12h) estimation were lacking for the new formulation of MMF dispersible tablet in renal transplant patients. The aims of the study were to investigate the PK characteristics of MMF dispersible tablet by detecting the active metabolite of MPA and to establish an accuracy and precision equation for calculating MPA-AUC0-12h by limited sampling strategy (LSS) in Chinese kidney transplant patients. A total of 60 postoperative kidney transplant recipients were given a multiple-dose of MMF dispersible tablet twice daily combination with tacrolimus (Tac) and steroids. On the 5th day post-transplantation, blood specimens were collected before drug administration and up to 12 h after MMF dispersible tablet administration. Non-compartmental PK analysis was used to determine the data obtained from individual patients. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was used to develop models for predicting MPA-AUC0-12h. The 3- and 4-point sampling models using 2 h, 4 h, 8 h and 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h, respectively, allowed accurate estimation of MPA-AUC0-12h. PK parameters of MMF dispersible tablet were obtained and the 4-point LSS is the best model for accurate and precise estimation of MPA-AUC0-12h

Adaptive immune responses at mucosal surfaces of teleost fish

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