Abstract:Signal amplification-based fluorescent methods combine the advantages of both fluorescence detection and signal amplification strategy. Recently, they have gained increasing attention in nucleic acid detection due to their high efficiency, easy read-out, and real-time monitoring. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in signal amplification-based fluorescent methods for microRNAs assay, and focus on five categories including strand displacement amplification (SDA), rolling circle amplification (RCA), exonuclease-assisted signal amplification, duplex specific nuclease (DSN)-assisted signal amplification, and enzyme-free signal amplification. We highlight their future direction as well.

Abstract:As early as in the second half of the 19th century, bacteria have already been used to treat cancer patients. In 1868, German doctor W. Busch reported that when patients with Sarcoma were intentionally infected by Streptococcus pyrogenes, the tumors were suppressed or eliminated. Later, similar cases of bacterial cancer treatments were reported by American doctor William B. Coley and German doctor Friedrich Fehleisen, independently. However, these early attempts remain controversial due to lack of repeatability and safety. In recent years, systematically designed animal experiments have proved that bacterial treatments can effectively suppress tumor growth and also stimulate immune system of the hosts. In this article, we will try to give out an outline of the history, development and future of bacterial cancer therapy.

Abstract:Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence is superior for in vivo ultrasensitive and multiplex biological imaging because it could provide much higher imaging depth and signal-to-noise ratio than visible fluorescence. Here we reviewed the research progress of composition-dependent and structure-dependent NIR-emitting quantum dots (QDs). Furthermore, the multiple tuning of NIR fluorescence spectrum and the development of non-toxic QDs were pointed out.

Abstract:Cyclophilins (Cyps) are crucial to protein folding because that the ubiquitous proteins affect the cis-trans isomerization of Pro amide bonds. The immunosuppressive natural product cyclosporine A inhibits the enzymatic activity of the cyclophilins. Chemical modification of cyclosporine scaffolds has produced many analogues that inhibit cyclophilins in vitro but have reduced immunosuppressive properties. Three nonimmunosuppressive cyclophilin inhibitors (alisporivir, SCY-635, and NIM811) have demonstrated clinical efficacy for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. Recent publications suggest that cyclophilin inhibitors may have utility for the treatment of diverse viral infections, inflammatory indications, and cancer. In this review, we document the structure-activity relationships of the nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporins in clinical and preclinical development. Aspects of the pharmacokinetic behavior and chemical biology of these drug candidates are also described.

Abstract:Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a severe public health problem because it affects millions of people worldwide and results in 600 thousand deaths from liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma each year. Currently, no treatment is available to cure this disease. Here, we propose a synthetic immunity strategy to treat this disease. Specifically, minicircle DNA, an optimized non-viral vector, is used to express a group of engineered antibodies, of which the monoclonal antibodies act to neutralize the virus, while the bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to render the resting Tlymphocytes the function of anti-HBV CTLs to eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes. The two classes of antibodies work in concert to cure the disease as the host immune system eliminates the virus during recovering from acute infection. With the superior features in safety, transgene expression profile and cost-effectiveness, minicircle can be used to establish apowerful anti-HBV synthetic immunity to achieve this goal.

Abstract:Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a morphologic program in which cells convert from the epithelial to the mesenchymal state, plays a pivotal role during malignant tumor invasion-metastasis cascade. During the cancer progression, tumor cells undergo a series of dynamic and reversible cell phenotypic states transitions. Phenotypic plasticity of EMT program implies that epigenetic regulators play crucial roles in this process. Several EMT transcription factors can modulate EMT through regulating expression of the key target genes. These master EMT inducers orchestrate EMT program depending on complex epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, understanding of epigenetic mechanisms controlling EMT will provide critical insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis, and newtherapeutic targets for the treatment of malignant tumor.

Abstract:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. The pathogenesis of RA is not completely understood yet. In this review, the research progress of the immunologic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of RA was summarized.

Abstract:To evaluate the effect of thymopentin (TP5) on immune function and curative effect in adjuvant therapy for patients with lung cancer, we searched online for randomized, placebo-controlled trials that using TP5 as an adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for patients with lung cancer, and then evaluated the trials that meet criteria with the software RevMan5.3. As a result, 9 trials were included and 784 patients were observed. The meta-analysis shows that there is no significant change between the experimental group and the control group in terms of the curative effect of lung cancer (OR＝1.44, 95%CI(0.99, 2.10), P＝0.06＞0.05). As to the effect of immune function, TP5 altered the CD3＋cell level (OR＝5.88, 95% CI(2.34, 9.42), P＝0.001, CD4＋ cell level(OR＝8.32, 95%CI(5.22, 11.42), P＜0.00001), but did not alter the CD8＋ cell level (OR＝－3.12, 95% CI(－9.02, 2.79), P＞0.05) which led to a significant change of the CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio(OR＝0.38, 95% CI(0.18, 0.59), P＝0.0002). To sum up, TP5 altered the CD3＋ cell level, CD4＋ cell level and CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio but did not alter the CD3＋ cell level and curative effect.

Abstract:Microbial count on surface of buttons in 16 elevators in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital was detectedusing ATP bioluminescence method. The quantification significantly correlated with the pour plate method (y＝1.12048x－0.66611, R2＝0.95797). According to the GB15982-2012 standard, about 72.92% unsterilized samples and 95.83%sterilization samples were acceptable. Factors affecting general hygiene condition in elevators were mainly people typesand flux. In general, ATP bioluminescence method was demonstrated to be a reliable fast testing method for quantifyingmicrobial contamination on surface of elevator buttons, which therefore could serve as a good indicator of public hygienesurveillance and management in hospitals. This is important for preventing cross-infection.

Abstract:The human gut is densely populated by the gut microbiota. There are accumulating evidences indicating that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in the function of the body, which including the metabolism and energy absorption, the development in the function of gastrointestinal, the modulation of immune system and so on. Many chronic diseases, such as obesity, obesity-associated inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease and depression, are related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. The research of the interaction between intestinal bacteria and human body is instructive to the prevention or treatment of many chronic diseases and maintaining health.