Objective To establish a CVS-11 pseudovirus particles ( pp)-based assay for detec-tion of neutralizing antibody against rabies virus. Methods An improved rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test ( RFFIT) for detection of neutralizing antibody against rabies virus ( RVNA) was established based on the CVS-11 pseudovirus expressing a luciferase reporter gene. Forty-six human serum samples were analyzed with the improved RFFIT and the results were compared with those by using standard RFFIT. Moreover, the improved RFFIT was used to detect the titers of RVNA in 91 serum samples collected from pet dogs and pet-breeders in Beijing. Results The coincidence rate of the improved RFFIT and the standard RFFIT was 100% regarding to the analysis of 46 human serum samples and 5 negative reference serum samples. Moreo-ver, the RVNA titers of all serum samples obtained with CVS-11 pseudovirus-based assay showed a signifi-cant high correlation with those obtained with standard RFFIT (n=46, r=0. 94, P<0. 000 1). All of the 91 serum samples collected from pet dogs and pet-breeders in Beijing were positive for RVNA as indicated by the improved RFFIT with a mean titer of 33. 01 IU/ml. Conclusion We established an improved RFFIT based on the CVS-11 pp expressing luciferase reporter gene, which might be used as a reliable alternative RFFIT for measuring RVNA titer. Analysis of the 91 serum samples collected in Beijing with the improved RFFIT showed that all samples were positive for RVNA.

Objective To investigate different frequencies of glucocorticoids (GCs) on the tissue in a model of osteoporosis. Methods Thirtytwo three-month-old SD female rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) the control group (group C); (2) the low-frequency group (group L); (3) the middle-frequency group (group M); (4)the high-frequency group (H). The rats in the group C were given intramuscular injection (im) of 0.9% saline. Im of dexamethasone (Dex) was 1 mg/(kg·time). Rats were given two times im a week in the group C, four times im a week in the group M, and six times im a week in the group H. Each rat was sacrificed on thirty days post-administration. Results (1)The body weight of rats gradually increased in the Ctrl group , however , the body weight of rats declined gradually during the experiment in the group L, M and H. The size of immune organs (spleen and thymus) significantly decreased in rats of the group L, M and H. (2)Compared with the group C, cell edema was changed in the heart, renal and lung morphological fatty degeneration in liver , atrophy in spleen , atrophy in lymphoid nodules , and cell edema in kidney tubular were observed. Conclusion GCs cause serious degradation in the thymus and atrophy of the spleen. Administration has different inhibitory effect on immune function; the high frequency will lead to strong inhibition.

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is characterized by diffuse alveolar injury primarily caused by an excessive inflammatory response. Regrettably, the lack of effective pharmacotherapy currently available contributes to the high mortality rate in patients with this condition. Xuebijing (XBJ), a traditional Chinese medicine recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, exhibits promise as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI/ARDS. This study aimed to explore the preventive effects of XBJ on ALI and its underlying mechanism. To this end, we established an LPS-induced ALI model and treated ALI mice with XBJ. Our results demonstrated that pre-treatment with XBJ significantly alleviated lung inflammation and increased the survival rate of ALI mice by 37.5%. Moreover, XBJ substantially suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the lung tissue. Subsequently, we performed a network pharmacology analysis and identified identified 109 potential target genes of XBJ that were mainly involved in multiple signaling pathways related to programmed cell death and anti-inflammatory responses. Furthermore, we found that XBJ exerted its inhibitory effect on gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis of lung cells by suppressing TNF-α production. Therefore, this study not only establishes the preventive efficacy of XBJ in ALI but also reveals its role in protecting alveolar epithelial cells against gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis by reducing TNF-α release.
Animals ; Mice ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; Pyroptosis ; Gasdermins ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome