Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy ameliorates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice by regulating Th2 type immune response and reducing infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells

Background:This study aimed to assess how acupoint catgut-embedding therapy influences Th2-type immune response and the infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice.It also conducted an initial examination of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods:Seventy-two mice were randomly divided into four groups:normal control,DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis model(AD),AD with acupoint catgut-embedding treatment(ADA),and AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment.After DNCB challenge to induce AD,the ADA group received acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment at Zusanli(ST 36)and Quchi(LI 11)acupoints every other week from day 8.Mice in the AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment group underwent the same procedure as the ADA group but without catgut implantation.Severity was assessed using SCORAD on treatment days 1,10,and 20.On day 18,nine mice per group were euthanized,and the remaining on day 28.Histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining.TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-13 levels were analyzed by ELISA,and GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels by western blot.Results:After 20 days of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment,mice showed reduced dermatitis scores compared to DNCB-induced AD-like mice.Significant decreases occurred in serum IL-4,IL-6,IL-13,and TNF-αlevels.Skin analysis revealed marked reductions in CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cell infiltration,as well as GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels.Conclusion:Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy may effectively alleviate atopic dermatitis by suppressing Th2 immune responses via the STAT6-GATA3 pathway and reducing CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)T cell infiltration in skin lesions.

Uniform persistence of multispecies ecological competition predator-pray system with Holling Ⅲ type functional response

The main purpose of this paper is to study the persistence of the general multispecies competition predator-pray system with Holling Ⅲ type functional response. In this system, the competition among predator species and among prey species are simultaneously considered. By using the comparison theory and qualitative analysis, the sufficient conditions for uniform strong persistence are obtained.

Impulsive Predator-Prey Dynamic Systems with Beddington-DeAngelis Type Functional Response on the Unification of Discrete and Continuous Systems

In this study, the impulsive predator-prey dynamic systems on time scales calculus are studied. When the system has periodic solution is investigated, and three different conditions have been found, which are necessary for the periodic solution of the predator-prey dynamic systems with Beddington-DeAngelis type functional response. For this study the main tools are time scales calculus and coincidence degree theory. Also the findings are beneficial for continuous case, discrete case and the unification of both these cases. Additionally, unification of continuous and discrete case is a good example for the modeling of the life cycle of insects.

Adaptive Response of Wild and Mutant Type Synechococcus cedrorum to a Polychlorinated Pesticide-Endosulfan

The effect of endosulfan, a hexachlorinated pesticide, on growth, inorganic nitrogenous nutrient uptake (NO3-, NO2- and NH4+), change in pigmentation and glycogen content on wild type and chemically mutagenised cells of Synechococcus cedrorum was investigated. The pattern of response to pesticide stress in wild and mutant type was the same. Growth reappeared in both after a period of initial lag in presence of endosulfan. The duration of lag increased with increasing doses of pesticide. Paradoxically, however, the rate of uptake of NO-3, NO-2 and NH+4 pigment and glycogen content progressively increased with increasing doses. The difference in the adaptation response between wild and mutant types was observed only in the concentration of pesticide that could be tolerated; with the mutant tolerating 2.5 fold more.

POSITIVE EQUILIBRIUM AND ITS STABILITY OF THE BEDDINGTON-DEANGELIS'TYPE PREDATOR-PREY DYNAMICAL SYSTEM

A class of Beddington-DeAngelis＇ type predator-prey dynamic system with prey and predator both having linear density restriction is considered. By using the qualitative methods of ODE, the existence and uniqueness of positive equilibrium and its global asymptotic stability are analyzed. The direct criterions for local stability of positive equilibrium and existence of limit cycle are also established when inference parameter of predator is small.

Global analysis of Ivlev's type predator-prey dynamic systems

Consider a class of Ivlev＇s type predator-prey dynamic systems with prey and predator both having linear density restricts. By using the qualitative methods of ODE, the global stability of positive equilibrium and existence and uniqueness of non-small amplitude stable limit cycle are obtained. Especially under certain conditions, it shows that existence and uniqueness of non-small amplitude stable limit cycle is equivalent to the local un-stability of positive equilibrium and the local stability of positive equilibrium implies its global stability. That is to say, the global dynamic of the system is entirely determined by the local stability of the positive equilibrium.

Large yellow croaker(Larimichthys crocea)mitofusin 2 inhibits type I IFN responses by degrading MAVS via enhanced K48‑linked ubiquitination

In mammals,mitofusin 2(MFN2)is involved in mitochondrial fusion,and suppresses the virus-induced RIG-I-like receptor(RLR)signaling pathway.However,little is known about the function of MFN2 in non-mammalian species.In the present study,we cloned an MFN2 ortholog(LcMFN2)in large yellow croaker(Larimichthys crocea).Phylogenetic analysis showed that MFN2 emerged after the divergence of amphioxus and vertebrates.The protein sequences of MFN2 were well conserved from fsh to mammals.LcMFN2 was expressed in all the tissues/organs examined at diferent levels,and its expression was upregulated in response to poly(I:C)stimulation.Overexpression of LcMFN2 inhibited MAVS-induced type I interferon(IFN)promoter activation and antiviral gene expression.In contrast,knockdown of endogenous LcMFN2 enhanced poly(I:C)induced production of type I IFNs.Additionally,LcMFN2 enhanced K48-linked polyubiquitination of MAVS,promoting its degradation.Also,overexpression of LcMFN2 impaired the cellular antiviral response,as evidenced by the increased expression of viral genes and more severe cytopathic efects(CPE)in cells infected with spring viremia of carp virus(SVCV).These results indicated that LcMFN2 inhibited type I IFN response by degrading MAVS,suggesting its negative regulatory role in cellular antiviral response.Therefore,our study sheds a new light on the regulatory mechanisms of the cellular antiviral response in teleosts.

Orchestration between ILC2s and Th2 cells in shaping type 2 immune responses

The type 2 immune response is critical for host defense against large parasites such as helminths.On the other hand,dysregulation of the type 2 immune response may cause immunopathological conditions,including asthma,atopic dermatitis,rhinitis,and anaphylaxis.Thus,a balanced type 2 immune response must be achieved to mount effective protection against invading pathogens while avoiding immunopathology.The classical model of type 2 immunity mainly involves the differentiation of type 2 T helper(Th2)cells and the production of distinct type 2 cytokines,including interleukin-4(IL-4),IL-5,and IL-13.Group 2 innate lymphoid cells(ILC2s)were recently recognized as another important source of type 2 cytokines.Although eosinophils,mast cells,and basophils can also express type 2 cytokines and participate in type 2 immune responses to various degrees,the production of type 2 cytokines by the lymphoid lineages,Th2 cells,and ILC2s in particular is the central event during the type 2 immune response.In this review,we discuss recent advances in our understanding of how ILC2s and Th2 cells orchestrate type 2 immune responses through direct and indirect interactions.

Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of a Discrete Predator-Prey Model with Mixed Holling Interaction

In this paper,a discrete Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model is proposed that considers mixed functional responses of Holling types I and III.The equilibrium points of the model are obtained,and their stability is tested.The dynamical behavior of this model is studied according to the change of the control parameters.We find that the complex dynamical behavior extends from a stable state to chaotic attractors.Finally,the analytical results are clarified by some numerical simulations.

MULTIPLE POSITIVE PERIODIC SOLUTIONS IN A IMPULSIVE PREDATOR-PREY SYSTEM WITH TYPEⅣFUNCTIONAL RESPONSES

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the existence of positive periodic solutions to impulsive predator-prey systems with type IV functional responses. Sufficient criteria are obtained for the existence of strictly positive periodic solutions. The approach is based on a continuation theorem in the coincidence degree theory as well as some prior estimates. This is also the first time that multiple positive periodic solutions are obtained using coincidence degree theory in impulsive ecological systems.

ALMOST PERIODIC SOLUTION OF MULTISPECIES COMPETITION-PREDATOR SYSTEM WITH ROLLING'S TYPE Ⅲ FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE

In this paper, we consider a nonautonomous multispecies competition-predator system with Holling＇s type Ⅲ functional response. The coexistence of the system, under some conditions, is obtained. Furthermore, using Lyapunov function, we show that the system has a strictly positive almost periodic solution which is globally asymptotically stable.

Th1/Th2 type cytokines in hepatitis B patients treated with interferon-α

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of Th1/Th2 type cytokines and the effect of interferon-α therapy. Methods Th1/Th2 type cytokines were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 23 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with interferon-α.Results Levels of IFN-γ in the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures from the patients with hepatitis B were slightly lower than those of controls (P=0.07). However, the levels of IL-4 were higher than those of controls (P=0.01). Cytokines measurements during IFN-α treatment showed a trend to decreaseing levels of IL-4 at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Levels of IFN-γ were slightly increased following IFN-α treatment (P=0.09). In patients with a complete response to IFN-α, the levels of IFN-γ were higher at 24 weeks following IFN-α treatment than that of pre-treatment (P=0.04), and the levels of IL-4 decreased markedly at 12 and 24 weeks (P=0.02, 0.03, respectively). mRNA expression positively correlated with the level of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in the supernatant. Conclusion The expression of Th2 type cytokines is predominant in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Interferon-α therapy can modulate the balance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines, and this is related to its clinical effect. Levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines could be a predictor of clinical response during Interferon -α treatment.

A molecular arms race between host innate antiviral response and emerging human coronaviruses

Coronaviruses have been closely related with mankind for thousands of years. Communityacquired human coronaviruses have long been recognized to cause common cold. However,zoonotic coronaviruses are now becoming more a global concern with the discovery of highly pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS) coronaviruses causing severe respiratory diseases. Infections by these emerging human coronaviruses are characterized by less robust interferon production. Treatment of patients with recombinant interferon regimen promises beneficial outcomes, suggesting that compromised interferon expression might contribute at least partially to the severity of disease. The mechanisms by which coronaviruses evade host innate antiviral response are under intense investigations. This review focuses on the fierce arms race between host innate antiviral immunity and emerging human coronaviruses. Particularly, the host pathogen recognition receptors and the signal transduction pathways to mount an effective antiviral response against SARS and MERS coronavirus infection are discussed. On the other hand, the counter-measures evolved by SARS and MERS coronaviruses to circumvent host defense are also dissected. With a better understanding of the dynamic interaction between host and coronaviruses, it is hoped that insights on the pathogenesis of newly-identified highly pathogenic human coronaviruses and new strategies in antiviral development can be derived.

MEF2C promotes M1 macrophage polarization and Th1 responses

The polarization of macrophages to the M1 or M2 phenotype has a pivotal role in inflammation and host defense;however,the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.Here,we show that myocyte enhancer factor 2 C(MEF2C)is essential for regulating M1 macrophage polarization in response to infection and inflammation.Global gene expression analysis demonstrated that MEF2C deficiency in macrophages downregulated the expression of M1 phenotypic markers and upregulated the expression of M2 phenotypic markers.MEF2C significantly promoted the expression of interleukin-12 p35 subunit(Il12a)and interleukin-12 p40 subunit(Il12b).Myeloid-specific Mef2c-knockout mice showed reduced IL-12 production and impaired Th1 responses,which led to susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection and protected against DSS-induced IBD in vivo.Mechanistically,we showed that MEF2C directly activated the transcription of Il12a and Il12b.These findings reveal a new function of MEF2C in macrophage polarization and Th1 responses and identify MEF2C as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Patterned Solutions of a Homogenous Diffusive Predator-Prey System of Holling Type-Ⅲ

In this paper, a diffusive predator-prey system of Holling type functional III is considered. For one hand, we considered the possibility of the occurrence of Turing patterns of the system. Our results show that there is no Turing patterns found in the system. On the other hand, we performed detailed Hopf bifurcation analysis to the systems, and showed that the system have multiple oscillatory patterns. Moreover, we also derived the conditions to determine the Hopf bifurcation direction and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Computer simulations are included to support our theoretical analysis.

Positive Periodic Solution of a Discrete Predator-prey Patch-system

A periodic difference predator-prey model with Holling-（m ＋ 1）（m 〉 2） type functional response and impulses is established. Sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of periodic solutions by using a continuation theorem in coincidence degree.

Dynamics of a stochastic Holling II predator-prey model with Levy jumps and habitat complexity

This paper investigates a stochastic Holling II predator-prey model with Levy jumps and habit complexity.It is first proved that the established model admits a unique global positive solution by employing the Lyapunov technique,and the stochastic ultimate boundedness of this positive solution is also obtained.Sufficient conditions are established for the extinction and persistence of this solution.Moreover,some numerical simulations are carried out to support the obtained results.