Abstract:Heterostructure nanoparticles (NPs) which are composed of different ingredients, appear multiple performances that induced by each component. It is also possible to produce new properties that are not available for single-component particles, due to the mutual coupling between different components. As a result, heterostructure NPs have attracted extensive attention in the field of chemical engineering, biomedicine, and energy catalysis. Due to the special optical properties and catalytic activity of noble metals, and the excellent magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles, noble metal-magnetic heterogeneous nanoparticles have attracted much attention from researchers. These nanomaterials combine the excellent properties of the two materials and exhibit different properties through different heterostructures. In this review, noble metal-magnetic heterogeneous nanomaterials were classified into core-shell structure, yolk-shell structure, and dumbbell structure by their structures, and their characteristics, preparation methods and applications were summarized. Their applications in biomedicine, including theranostics, multimode imaging and stimuli-responsive drug carriers, were particularly emphasized.

Abstract:As a common type of malignant tumor diseases, hematological malignancies mainly include various types of leukemia, multiple myeloma and malignant lymphoma. With the rapid development of modern society, the incidence rate of hematological malignancies is increasing year by year, and the age of disease onset gradually tend to a younger age. The pathogenesis of hematological malignancies is inseparable from environmental factors and genetic factors. Recent studies have found that epigenetic modification plays an important role in the development of hematological tumors and some epigenetic related genes have made important progress in clinical application as therapeutic targets for hematological tumors. In view of the advances progress of the research that focus on the role of epigenetic modification in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies, this paper will systematically review the research progress of DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA and RNA modification in the pathogenesis of hematological tumors.

Abstract:Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a type of natural or engineered viruses that preferentially target cancer cells. The engineered OVs can not only target cancer cells, but also regulate the tumor microenvironment which will have some effect on the therapeutic efficacy consequently. Oncolytic viruses are emerging as a system therapeutic strategies by modulating the expression of tumor antigens, immunosuppressive state, tumor-associated fibroblasts and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the combination of OVs and immune checkpoint inhibitor can achieve very good synergistic and complementary effects. This paper summarized the progress of OVs on tumor microenvironment and combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract:Atherosclerosis (AS), the main pathophysiological basis leading to cardiovascular disease, is now considered to be a chronic inflammatory condition. There is experimental and clinical evidence that adaptive immune mechanisms can accelerate or curb AS. The adaptive immune cells includes T cells and B cells that secreting different cytokines or antibodies, possess pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory properties. The role of some T and B cell subtypes in AS is still debated. Th17 and Treg cells may suggest for plasticity of T cell that can switch the phenotype dependening on the local microenvironment. In addition, there are complex interplay between lipid metabolism and adaptive immune system. The recent Canakinumab Antiinflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS) provided pivotal support on anti-inflammatory strategies to treat AS, and immune regulation or vaccination against immune system is also a promising approach for treating AS. This article reviews the advances of adaptive immune mechanisms in AS in recent years as well as discuss their future perspective as potential diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases targets.

Abstract:Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia are two different diseases, but both of them show cognitive dysfunction. Parvalbumin positive neurons (PV positive neurons) are one of inhibitory interneurons, which regulate the excitation / inhibition balance, and participate in the generation of gamma oscillation. They are pivotal for the processing of information, signal integration and output, and are closely related to cognitive functions such as learning and memory, attention, awakening state and social interaction. The regulation of PV positive neurons on cognitive function suggests that they are involved in the pathogenesis of AD and schizophrenia. Therefore, we will review the recent progress on the roles and the mechanisms of PV positive neurons underlying the cognitive dysfunction in AD and schizophrenia, as well as on the treatment of cognitive dysfunction through PV positive neurons.

Abstract:The hypogeomagnetic field (HMF) is one of the key risk factors for manned deep space missions. It has been reported that HMF exposure affects multiple exercise-related behaviors of animals, but the long-term effects of HMF on the exercise capacity of adult humans needs further investigation to determine the potential risk of HMF exposure during deep space missions. In this study, we reared adult male C57BL/6 mice in an HMF for one month, simulated by a 3-axis Helmholtz coil system, and examined the effects on their exercise capacities at behavioral, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Compared with that of the control mice reared in the geomagnetic field, the endurance of the HMF-exposed mice was significantly reduced. Decreases were also observed in the citric acid level and the number of subsarcolemmal mitochondria in skeletal muscles, and morphological alterations of skeletal mitochondria were noted. These results indicate an HMF-induced inhibition of muscular mitochondrial function and an endurance-related decline in the process of energy metabolism. Our findings provide direct in vivo evidence to demonstrate that mitochondria can respond to HMF exposure and that mitochondrion-related indices could be used for risk evaluation and the development of methods of counteraction.

Abstract:Current diffuse optical tomography (DOT) systems often adopt premium photo detectors and amplifiers, thus leading to a high cost and low performance-to-price ratio to the system. The aim of this work is to investigate the use of novel techniques to reduce the cost of system, increase the imaging depth and develop a new DOT system for practical human brain imaging. In this paper, low-cost photo detectors and a self-developed photodiode pre-amplifier were employed. Comparing to the previous system of our laboratory, the whole cost of the new system was cut by more than 40% . Next, we designed a wearable fiber-free brain computer interface (BCI) which is flexible and can fit well with subjects featuring different shapes. A handheld 3D laser scanner was initially used to accurately acquire the shape of subjects and the locations of sources and detectors in this work. Finally, the imaging depth of targets was up to 35 mm of the new system in human head-shaped phantom experiments performed with the integrated application of techniques and instruments as mentioned above. This validated result demonstrates that our new system has gained the ability for function real human brain imaging.

Abstract:Biological pacemaker has attracted more and more attention of the researchers. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate the effect of the electrical coupling at the border on the pacing and driving of the biological pacemaker in ventricle. First of all, a 1D ventricular strand model containing a pacemaker is developed by using the anisotropic reaction diffusion equation. Based on the model, the initial pacing time (IPT), action potentials of the cells in special locations, and the propagation process of the electrical excitation are simulated corresponding to different couplings at the border, and it is found that to an extent, the pacing of the pacemaker is enhanced by weakening the coupling. However, when the coupling is small enough, the excitation of the pacemaker could not effuse, making the driving failed. In addition, the relationship between the minimum size of the pacemaker and the coupling is also probed, which reveals that the smaller the coupling is, the less the pacing cells are required. Nevertheless, the relationship is not prominent. In conclusion, it plays a certain role in the functioning of the pacemaker to reduce the coupling at the border alone. Nevertheless, other measures should also be taken to create an effective biological pacemaker.