To explore the clinical relevance of three lymphocyte-related serum microRNAs (miR-155, miR-214, and miR-326) to the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 64 subjects who received allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) were recruited in this study, of whom 19 subjects did not develop GVHD, 25 subjects were diagnosed with acute GVHD (aGVHD), and 20 subjects were diagnosed with chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Serum miRNAs were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Expression level of miRNAs and the expression signatures of miRNAs as a panel were analyzed among the three groups. The expression level of miR-214 and miR-326 showed no significant difference between GVHD and non-GVHD groups. However, miR-155 was significantly up-regulated in GVHD patients. There was a correlation between the level of miR-155 and the severity of aGVHD. Moreover, serum IFN-gamma, IL-17, and IL-9 levels were higher in aGVHD patients with high miR-155. In conclusion, the expression level of lymphocyte-related miR-155 in serum was significantly increased in aGVHD patients. The miR-155 may be considered as a potential targeted therapy for aGVHD patients.

Background:The applications of ligand-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified nanocarriers have now emerged, as well as recognized strategies to provide the vectors with active targeting properties. In this research, premodification and postmodification were compared using the same ligand, ie, a novel conjugated mannan-containing PEG and L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Methods: Premodified and postmodified solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared and the characteristics of the two kinds of vehicles were evaluated. The modified vectors were then administered intravenously to rats and the in vivo targeting behavior of the complexes was investigated in liver macrophages. Results: By carefully formulating the carriers with an optimal ratio of mannan-containing PEG-PE, postmodified vehicles displayed more efficient gene expression in rat Kupffer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Postmodified gene carriers are superior to premodified gene vectors, although the latter is also promising for targeted gene delivery. This discovery could guide our future research.

Riemannian semisymmetric almost Kenmotsu manifolds and nullity distributionsby Yaning Wang (Xinxiang) and Ximin Liu (Dalian)

The goal of the paper is to test the performance of Q-learning for adaptive traffic signal control. For Q-learning algorithm, the state is total delay of the intersection, and the action is phase green time change. The relationship between phase green time change and action space is discussed. The performance between Q-learning and fixed cycle signal setting for isolated intersection is compared. The computation results show that Q-learning for traffic signal control can achieve lesser delay for variable traffic condition.