Of men in mice: the development and application of a humanized gnotobiotic mouse model for microbiome therapeutics

Considerable evidence points to the critical role of the gut microbiota in physiology and disease. The administration of live microbes as a therapeutic modality is increasingly being considered. However, key questions such as how to identify candidate microorganisms and which preclinical models are relevant to recapitulate human microbiota remain largely unanswered. The establishment of a humanized gnotobiotic mouse model through the fecal microbiota transplantation of human feces into germ-free mice provides an innovative and powerful tool to mimic the human microbial system. However, numerous considerations are required in designing such a model, as various elements, ranging from the factors pertaining to human donors to the mouse genetic background, affect how microbes colonize the gut. Thus, it is critical to match the murine context to that of human donors to provide a continuous and faithful progression of human flora in mice. This is of even greater importance when the need for accuracy and reproducibility across global research groups are taken into account. Here, we review the key factors that affect the formulation of a humanized mouse model representative of the human gut flora and propose several approaches as to how researchers can effectively design such models for clinical relevance.Subject terms: Experimental models of disease, Translational research     

Microbial sensor for new-generation cephalosporins based in a protein-engineered β- lactamase

A protein-engineered β-lactamase, constructed by site-directed mutagenesis inEscherichia coli (E104M/G238S), and having broadened specificity, was able to degrade cephalosporins of first, second, and third generations. Manipulations of culture conditions allowed an increase in β-lactamase specific activity by up to twofold. The resultant bacteria were used to construct an immersable whole-cell biosensor for the detection of new-generation cephalosporins. Cells were immobilized on agar membranes, which in turn were attached to the surface of a flat pH electrode, thus constituting a biosensor based on the detection of pH changes. The sensor was able to detect second- and third-generation cephalosporins: cefamandole (0.4-4 mM), cefotaxime (0.4-3.5 mM), and cefoperazone (0.3-1.85 mM). Response times were between 3.5 and 11 min, depending on the kind of cephalosporin tested. The biosensor was stable for at least 7 d, time during which up to 100 tests were performed.     

Design of nanoarchitectured electrode materials applied in new-generation rechargeable lithium ion batteries

Construction of desired nanoarchitectures with both high power and high rate ability is regarded as a significant step torward industrial applications of rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with improved performance. It is well-known that the hard-template route towards nanoarchitectures requires further simplifying the synthetic procedure and lowering the cost of the template itself. Whereas, the newest template-free methodologies, including the special-coordination-structure route and the self-produced template route, show the prospective signs in the coming years. Application of nanoarchitectured electrodes in the study of rechargeable lithium ion batteries has spurred activity in the LIB fields. This Frontier article gives an overview of the recent advances.     

Thermal properties and kinetics of new-generation posterior bulk fill composite cured light-emitting diodes

In this study, the thermal behavior in terms of glass transition (T _g), degradation, and thermal stability of four commercial new-generation posterior bulk fill composites (Surefill SDR, Dentsply; Quixfill, Dentsply; Xtrabase, Voco; and Xtrafill, Voco) activated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The activation energies (E _a) for the decomposition of the dental resins were calculated based on the Kissinger and Doyle kinetic models from the peaks of the endothermic curves obtained when the specimens were heated at four different temperatures (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1) during DSC. The results show that the Xtrabase composite displayed the highest T _g (120 °C at a 5 °C min^?1 heating rate) and E _a (157.64 kJ mol^?1) values associated with thermal degradation from the main chain of the polymer.     

Ultraviolet-C light for treatment of Candida albicans burn infection in mice

Burn patients are at high risk of invasive fungal infections, which are a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and related expense exacerbated by the emergence of drug resistant fungal strains. In this study, we investigated the use of UVC light (254 nm) for the treatment of yeast Candida albicans infection in mouse third degree burns. In vitro studies demonstrated that UVC could selectively kill the pathogenic C. albicans compared with a normal mouse keratinocyte cell line in a light exposure dependent manner. A mouse model of chronic C. albicans infection in non-lethal third degree burns was developed. The C. albicans strain was stably transformed with a version of the Gaussia princeps luciferase gene that allowed real-time bioluminescence imaging of the progression of C. albicans infection. UVC treatment with a single exposure carried out on day 0 (30 min postinfection) gave an average 2.16-log(10)-unit (99.2%) loss of fungal luminescence when 2.92 J cm(-2) UVC had been delivered, while UVC 24 h postinfection gave 1.94-log(10)-unit (95.8%) reduction of fungal luminescence after 6.48 J cm(-2). Statistical analysis demonstrated that UVC treatment carried out on both day 0 and day 1 significantly reduced the fungal bioburden of infected burns. UVC was found to be superior to a topical antifungal drug, nystatin cream. UVC was tested on normal mouse skin and no gross damage was observed 24 h after 6.48 J cm(-2). DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) were observed by immunofluorescence in normal mouse skin immediately after a 6.48 J cm(-2) UVC exposure, but the lesions were extensively repaired at 24 h after UVC exposure.     

Metallodendrimers towards enzyme mimics and molecular electronics: new-generation catalysts,sensors and molecular batteries

Large supramolecular metallodendrimers can now be synthesised rapidly, reaching a high number of branches in only a few generations, and approaching the de Gennes steric limit. They are characterised by their MALDI TOF mass spectra, in particular by the molecular peak, and by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR. Following rational molecular engineering, they can be designed to achieve essential functions such as molecular batteries, catalysts and sensors for the recognition of various anions.     

Polyester resin and carbon nanotubes based nanocomposite as new-generation coating to prevent biofilm formation

In this article, we have developed protective nanocomposite coatings using unsaturated polyester resin and multiwalled carbon nanotubes showing antimicrobial activity and mechanical durability. Carbon nanotubes retain the mechanical resilience of polyester resin in the nanocomposite, improve its hydrophobic character, and increase the adhesion features of the coating, preventing its stiffness from decreasing due to water absorption or exposure to UV rays. Nanocomposite coating exhibits an appreciable antimicrobial property and a lower level of toxicity compared to pure resin. All these features make this material a good candidate for its use in the field of anti-biofilm coatings.     

Metabolic fingerprinting of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice urine with capillary electrophoresis

Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice has been fingerprinted using CE to study the capabilities of this technique as a diagnostic tool for this parasitic disease. Two modes of separation were used in generating the electrophoretic data, with each untreated urine sample the following methods were applied: (i) a fused-silica capillary, operating with an applied potential of 18 kV, in micellar EKC (MEKC) and (ii) a polyacrylamide-coated capillary, operating with an applied potential of -20 kV under zonal CZE conditions. By combining normal and reverse polarities in the data treatment we have extracted more information from the samples, which is a better approach for CE metabolomics. The traditional problems associated with variability in electrophoretic peak migration times for analytes were countered by using a dynamic programming algorithm for the electropherograms alignment. Principal component analyses of these aligned electropherograms and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) data are shown to provide a valuable means of rapid and sample classification. This approach may become an important tool for the identification of biomarkers, diagnosis and disease surveillance.     

Protective effect of baker's yeast mannan against Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice

The neutral mannan (WNM) and the acidic mannan (WAM025) fractions from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were found to manifest significant protective effects against intraperitoneal and intravenous infections of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. A remarkable decrease in the number of microbial cells in spleen and liver was observed in mice inoculated with these microorganisms after administration of either mannan fraction. In order to clarify the mechanism of the protective effects, we investigated in vitro the bactericidal activity and lysosomal enzyme activities such as myeloperoxidase, acid phosphatase, and neutral protease, in Kupffer cells (KCs) from mice pretreated with either mannan fraction. KCs from mice administered with these mannan fractions showed an enhanced killing effect on these bacteria in vitro, and neutral protease activity was considered to be one of the important factors in the killing effect on both L. monocytogenes and P. aeruginosa.     

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation enhances mortality and pathology associated with influenza virus infection in mice

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes systemic immune suppression, decreasing the delayed type and contact hypersensitivity responses in animals and humans and enhancing certain mycobacterial, parasitic and viral infections in mice. This study tests the hypothesis that prior exposure to UVR enhances influenza infections in mice. BALB/c female mice were exposed to 0-8.2 kJ/m2 of UVR. Exposed and unexposed mice were infected intranasally three days later with 150-300 plaque-forming units/mouse (lethal dose (LD)20-LD40) of mouse-adapted Hong Kong Influenza A/68 (H3N2) virus or sham infected with 50 microL Hanks' balanced salt solution/mouse. Mortality from viral infection ranged from 25-50%. UVR exposure increased virus-associated mortality in a dose-dependent manner (up to a two-fold increase at 8.2 kJ/m2). The increased mortality was not associated with bacterial pneumonia. The highest dose of UVR also accelerated the body weight loss and increased the severity and incidence of thymic atrophy associated with influenza infection. However, UVR treatment had little effect on the increase in lung wet weight seen with viral infection, and, to our surprise, did not cause an increase in virus titers in the lung or dissemination of virus. The mice died 5-6 days after infection, too early for adaptive immune responses to have much impact. Also, UVR did not interfere with the development of protective immunity to influenza, as measured by reinfection with a lethal challenge of virus. Also, cells adoptively transferred from UVR or untreated mice were equally protective of recipient mice challenged with a lethal dose of virus. The mice resemble mice succumbing to endotoxin, and influenza infection increased the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum cortisol levels; however, UVR preexposure did not increase either of these responses to the virus. The results show that UVR increased the morbidity, mortality and pathogenesis of influenza virus in mice without affecting protective immunity to the virus, as measured by resistance to reinfection. The mechanism of enhanced mortality is uncertain, but the data raises concerns that UVR may exacerbate early responses that contribute to the pathogenesis of a primary viral infection.     

Optical imaging of bacterial infection in living mice using a fluorescent near-infrared molecular probe

An optical imaging probe was synthesized by attaching a near-infrared carbocyanine fluorophore to an affinity group containing two zinc(II) dipicolylamine (Zn-DPA) units. The probe has a strong and selective affinity for the surfaces of bacteria, and it was used to image infections of Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacteria in living nude mice. After intravenous injection, the probe selectively accumulates at the sites of localized bacterial infections in the thigh muscles of the mice.     

Wound infection kinetics probed by MALDI-MS: rapid profiling of Staphylococcus aureus in mice

Using direct matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), we were able to investigate the role of the clinically important bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, in wound infections using mice. The infection kinetics of S. aureus at the wound site and the host immune response has been investigated using MALDI-MS. In this study, for the first time, we report the growth pattern of S. aureus infection at a wound site. Using mice wound infection models; the following study fingerprints the bacterial-host (mice) response at the wound site as a function of increasing wound infection in order to establish the infection pattern of Staphylococcus aureus in wounds. The current approach is extremely simple, rapid, highly selective, sensitive and established MALDI-MS as a versatile tool for detecting bacteria in clinical samples, such as those collected from wound sites.     

A novel chemical biology and computational approach to expedite the discovery of new-generation polymyxins against life-threatening Acinetobacter baumannii

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria represent a major medical challenge worldwide. New antibiotics are desperately required with ‘old’ polymyxins often being the only available therapeutic option. Here, we systematically investigated the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of polymyxins using a quantitative lipidomics-informed outer membrane (OM) model of Acinetobacter baumannii and a series of chemically synthesized polymyxin analogs. By integrating chemical biology and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we deciphered how each residue of the polymyxin molecule modulated its conformational folding and specific interactions with the bacterial OM. Importantly, a novel designed polymyxin analog FADDI-287 with predicted stronger OM penetration showed improved in vitro antibacterial activity. Collectively, our study provides a novel chemical biology and computational strategy to expedite the discovery of new-generation polymyxins against life-threatening Gram-negative ‘superbugs’.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have been an urgent threat to global public health. Novel antibiotics are desperately needed to combat these ''superbugs''.     

The effect of UV irradiation on infection of mice with Borrelia burgdorferi

These studies addressed the hypothesis that UV radiation (UVR) could affect immune responses in mice infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Immunity against the Lyme spirochete B. burgdorferi was studied in a murine model of UV-induced immune suppression. Borrelia-specific cellular and humoral responses were examined following immunosuppressive doses of UVR. Low-passage Borrelia were injected intradermally at the base of the tail following irradiation. At various time points after infection the blood was cultured for the presence of Borrelia and the serum analyzed for Borrelia-specific antibodies. Two weeks after infection one hind-limb joint was cultured for the presence of spirochetes and the contralateral joint was examined histologically for arthritis formation. The results demonstrated that UV irradiation, administered at the site of infection or at a distant site, suppressed Borrelia-specific cellular and humoral responses in infected mice. Suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody responses to UV was abrogated by administration of anti-interleukin (IL)-10 after UV irradiation. In addition, UV irradiation altered the dissemination pattern of the bacteria from the skin into the blood and exacerbated arthritis when compared with unirradiated controls. From these studies we concluded that UV irradiation can modulate the immune response to Borrelia and exacerbate the subsequent arthritic component of Lyme disease in mice. Furthermore, our studies suggest that IL-10 is in part responsible for the suppression of both cellular and humoral responses in addition to playing a role in the development of Lyme arthritis.     

In vivo hepatitis B virus-neutralizing activity of an anti-HBsAg humanized antibody in chimpanzees

Previously, we constructed a humanized antibody (HuS10) that binds to the common a antigenic determinant on the S protein of HBV. In this study, we evaluated its HBV-neutralizing activity in chimpanzees. A study chimpanzee was intravenously administered with a single dose of HuS10, followed by intravenous challenge with the adr subtype of HBV, while a control chimpanzee was only challenged with the virus. The result showed that the control chimpanzee was infected by the virus, and thus serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) became positive from the 14(th) to 20(th) week and actively acquired serum anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies appeared from the 19(th) and 23(rd) week, respectively. However, in the case of the study chimpanzee, serum HBsAg became positive from the 34(th) to 37(th) week, while actively acquired serum anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies appeared from the 37(th) and 40(th) week, respectively, indicating that HuS10 neutralized the virus in vivo and thus delayed the HBV infection. This novel humanized antibody will be useful in the immunoprophylaxis of HBV infection.     

模型建构与建模教学的理论分析

通过对模型的内涵与功能以及建模过程的阐释,讨论了建模教学的2种模式、建模教学与传统教学的区别以及建模教学可以促进学生概念理解的价值。建模教学对教师提出了更高的要求,在实践中应重视培养学生对模型的认识,注重给学生提供机会参与建模过程。     

Roles of circadian clocks in cancer pathogenesis and treatment

Circadian clocks are ubiquitous timing mechanisms that generate approximately 24-h rhythms in cellular and bodily functions across nearly all living species. These internal clock systems enable living organisms to anticipate and respond to daily changes in their environment in a timely manner, optimizing temporal physiology and behaviors. Dysregulation of circadian rhythms by genetic and environmental risk factors increases susceptibility to multiple diseases, particularly cancers. A growing number of studies have revealed dynamic crosstalk between circadian clocks and cancer pathways, providing mechanistic insights into the therapeutic utility of circadian rhythms in cancer treatment. This review will discuss the roles of circadian rhythms in cancer pathogenesis, highlighting the recent advances in chronotherapeutic approaches for improved cancer treatment.Subject terms: Circadian rhythms, Targeted therapies