An apoA-I mimetic peptibody generates HDL-like particles and increases alpha-1 HDL subfraction in mice

The aim of this study is to investigate the capability of an apoA-I mimetic with multiple amphipathic helices to form HDL-like particles in vitro and in vivo. To generate multivalent helices and to track the peptide mimetic, we have constructed a peptibody by fusing two tandem repeats of 4F peptide to the C terminus of a murine IgG Fc fragment. The resultant peptidbody, mFc-2X4F, dose-dependently promoted cholesterol efflux in vitro, and the efflux potency was superior to monomeric 4F peptide. Like apoA-I, mFc-2X4F stabilized ABCA1 in J774A.1 and THP1 cells. The peptibody formed larger HDL particles when incubated with cultured cells compared with those by apoA-I. Interestingly, when administered to mice, mFc-2X4F increased both pre-β and α-1 HDL subfractions. The lipid-bound mFc-2X4F was mostly in the α-1 migrating subfraction. Most importantly, mFc-2X4F and apoA-I were found to coexist in the same HDL particles formed in vivo. These data suggest that the apoA-I mimetic peptibody is capable of mimicking apoA-I to generate HDL particles. The peptibody and apoA-I may work cooperatively to generate larger HDL particles in vivo, either at the cholesterol efflux stage and/or via fusion of HDL particles that were generated by the peptibody and apoA-I individually.     

Micro-CT检测中等强度跑台运动对去卵巢大鼠腰椎微结构的影响

目的用micro-CT方法,评估中等强度跑台运动对去卵巢大鼠腰椎微结构的影响。方法将30只3月龄雌性SD大鼠按体重分层后随机分为假手术、去卵巢静止和去卵巢运动三个组。运动组每周进行4次45min、速度18 m/min、坡度5°的跑台训练。正式运动处理14周时,取第2腰椎检测骨密度,取第4腰椎行micro-CT分析及三维结构重建;取第3腰椎椎体进行椎体压缩实验。结果去卵巢运动组第2腰椎骨密度、第3腰椎最大载荷、最大应力和弹性模量以及第4腰椎骨小梁体积和骨小梁数目显著高于去卵巢静止组,骨小梁分离度显著低于去卵巢静止组,而骨小梁厚度无显著变化。结论中等强度跑台运动能改善去卵巢大鼠腰椎的微结构。     

An Ultralong Lifespan and Low‐Temperature Workable Sodium‐Ion Full Battery for Stationary Energy Storage

Presently, commercialization of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) is still hindered by the relatively poor energy‐storage performance. In addition, low‐temperature (low‐T) Na storage is another principal concern for the wide application of SIBs. Unfortunately, the Na‐transfer kinetics is extremely sluggish at low‐T, as a result, there are few reports on low‐T SIBs. Here, an advanced low‐T sodium‐ion full battery (SIFB) assembled by an anode of 3D Se/graphene composite and a high‐voltage cathode (Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F) is developed, exhibiting ultralong lifespan (over even 15 000 cycles, the capacity retention is still up to 86.3% at 1 A g^?1), outstanding low‐T energy storage performance (e.g., all values of capacity retention are >75% after 1000 cycles at temperatures from 25 to ?25 °C at 0.4 A g^?1), and high‐energy/power properties. Such ultralong lifespan signifies that the developed sodium‐ion full battery can be used for longer than 60 years, if batteries charge/discharge once a day and 80% capacity retention is the standard of battery life. As a result, the present study not only promotes the practicability and commercialization of SIBs but also points out the new developing directions of next‐generation energy storage for wider range applications.     

Lack of association between AQP4 polymorphisms and risk of inflammatory demyelinating disease in a Korean population

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are demyelinating autoimmune inflammatory diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS). Previous genome-wide or candidate gene studies have suggested that genetic variants might be associated with the risk of MS or NMO. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is a commonly distributed water channel in astrocytes of the CNS, and its expression is decreased in NMO lesions due to astrocyte cytotoxicity. Previous studies have suggested the associations of AQP4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with MS and/or NMO. However, there have been few replication studies in various ethnic populations. This study, as the first of its kind performed in an Asian population, investigated associations of AQP4 SNPs with the risk of inflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD), including MS and NMO, in a Korean population. A total of seven common AQP4 SNPs were selected based on status of linkage disequilibrium (LD), and then genotyped in 178 IDD cases (79 MS and 99 NMO patients) and 237 normal controls. Statistical analyses showed no significant associations between AQP4 SNPs/haplotypes and development of IDD, including MS and NMO (P > 0.05). Further replications in larger cohorts and other ethnic groups are needed.     

Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in brine and saline by alternating high-voltage pulsed current

The inactivating efficiency of alternating high-voltage pulsed (AHVP) current was investigated in brine (20 w/v% NaCl) and saline (0.9 w/v% NaCl) inoculated with 1x 107 cells/ml of Listeria monocytogenes. AHVP current at 12 V with 1 pulse completely inactivated L. monocytogenes in brine within 3 ms, while the bacteria in saline were fully inactivated by 10-pulsed electric treatment at 12 V within the same time. Electron microscopic observation demonstrated substantial structural damage of electrically treated L. monocytogenes in brine. These results suggest that AHVP treatment would be effective for the rapid and complete inactivation of L. monocytogenes in brine or saline solution.