Response Of Human Beings Research Articles

Patterns and transitions of posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth in trauma-exposed youth: A latent transition analysis.

The present study examined the transition patterns in latent classes of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth among a sample of youth 4-13months after an explosion accident in China. Latent profile analyses identified consistent three classes (Resilient, Growing, and High-Symptom) at both waves. Latent transition analysis found most Resilient individuals remained stable while most Growing and High-symptom individuals transferred. Logistic regression predicting transition pathways suggests younger individuals, males, and those who lack social support are prone to experience reduced post-traumatic growth, whereas individuals with higher trauma exposure are prone to develop PTSD. Our study provides empirical evidence supporting qualitative transitions in PTSD and post-traumatic growth levels from a person-centred perspective. This adds to the current knowledge on the heterogeneity of post-traumatic responses of human beings and offers valuable guidance for post-traumatic interventions among youths.

Micro-expression recognition based on facial action learning with muscle movement constraints

As a spontaneous facial expression, micro-expression reveals the psychological responses of human beings. However, micro-expression recognition (MER) is highly susceptible to noise interference due to the short existing time and low-intensity of facial actions. Research on facial action coding systems explores the correlation between emotional states and facial actions, which provides more discriminative features. Therefore, based on the exploration of correlation information, the goal of our work is to propose a spatiotemporal network that is robust to low-intensity muscle movements for the MER task. Firstly, a multi-scale weighted module is proposed to encode the spatial global context, which is obtained by merging features of different resolutions preserved from the backbone network. Secondly, we propose a multi-task-based facial action learning module using the constraints of the correlation between muscle movement and micro-expressions to encode local action features. Besides, a clustering constraint term is introduced to restrict the feature distribution of similar actions to improve categories’ separability in feature space. Finally, the global context and local action features are stacked as high-quality spatial descriptions to predict micro-expressions by passing through the Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) network. The proposed method is proved to outperform other mainstream methods through comparative experiments on the SMIC, CASME-I, and CASME-II datasets.

Biological contaminants in the indoor air environment and their impacts on human health

Indoor air environment contains a complex mixture of biological contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, insects, and their by-products such as endotoxins, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds, etc. Biological contaminants have been categorized according to whether they are allergenic, infectious, capable of inducing toxic or inflammatory responses in human beings. At present, there is a lack of awareness about biological contamination in the indoor environment and their potential sources for the spreading of various infections. Therefore, this review article examines the association of biological contaminants with human health, and it will also provide in-depth knowledge of various biological contaminants present in different places such as residential areas, hospitals, offices, schools, etc. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative data of bio-contaminants in various indoor environments such as schools, hospitals, residential houses, etc. have also been derived from the recent literature survey.

Enhancement of electrocatalytic activity in tungsten trioxide nanoparticles by UV-light irradiation: Application for simultaneous detection of tyrosine and tryptophan

Electromagnetic radiation is widely used as a tool for grafting or partially modifying materials for specific applications. Here, we demonstrate that the UV-rays irradiation on tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles, reduces its crystallite size and induces oxygen vacancy, thereby enhancing the catalytic ability significantly. This unique feature of WO3 NPs has been utilised for the development of a novel electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of two important amino acids l-Tyrosine (Tyr) and l-Tryptophan (Trp). Both the Tyr and Trp act as precursors for catecholamine and indolamine neurotransmitters which help neural communication and regulate the psychological, physiological, and behavioural responses in human beings. Therefore, it is important to know the precise amount of these amino acids in the human body fluids, food, and pharmaceutical supplements. Here, we report the fabrication of a simple method for the determination of Tyr and Trp using UV-rays irradiated WO3 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) without using any additional surface mediator. Among various exposition times, 4 h irradiated WO3 modified GCE showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of Tyr and Trp over wider concentration ranges of 0.01–1100 μM and 0.02–2000 μM for Tyr and Trp with the lowest detection limits of 2.3 nM and 4.4 nM respectively. A good separation in the oxidation potentials was realized during the simultaneous detection of Tyr and Trp from their binary mixture in phosphate buffer saline at pH 6.0. The developed sensor displayed good reproducibility, high sensitivity, and good selectivity towards the determination of the amino acids, making it suitable for the precise determination of Tyr and Trp in farm foods such as milk, curd, and egg.

Desde la enfermería basada en evidencia: patrones de conocimiento: mirando su narrativa: fenómeno del cuidado

Introducción. Desde la enfermería basada en evidencia, como procesos cognitivos que ponen en marcha frente a cada situación hacen evidente al proceso de Enfermería como herramienta fundamental para la dirección del cuidado. En el fenómeno de cuidado, surge la situación de enfermería como herramienta científica que permite poner en evidencia los patrones de conocimiento enfermero propuestos por Barbara Carper, los elementos del metaparadigma, así como las fases del proceso de enfermería. Para la operacionalización del mismo, se utilizó la taxonomía de diagnósticos propuestos por la NANDA, así como los resultados esperados (NOC) y las intervenciones sugeridas (NIC). Metodología. Para precisar la realidad, se abordó desde el equipaje etnográfico focalizado como metodología analítica explorando desde el aspecto antropológico del cuidado, la enfermería basada en evidencia, patrones de conocimiento desde la narrativa del cuidado como base epistémica para los dominios y taxonomías, teniendo en cuenta la adecuación teórico-epistemológica fundamentada en el paradigma cualitativo-interpretativo a través del interaccionismo simbólico. Resultados y discusiones. La enfermería basada en evidencia, surge como el nuevo paradigma emergente, a través de los patrones de conocimiento, hacen parte de la enseñanza y de la práctica de enfermería, de tal forma que aumentan su complejidad y su diversidad epistemológica. Por lo tanto, cada patrón da una orientación de los problemas y las preguntas de la disciplina, reconociendo que los cambios son inherentes al desarrollo del conocimiento en enfermería. Propuestas metodológicas. El fenómeno del cuidado, emerge como necesidad la simbiosis entre el proceso de enfermería y su transcendencia en la investigación científica a través de la enfermería basada en evidencia, vista como un proceso único, individualizado de la práctica de enfermería a través de la narrativa, usando las herramientas de los patrones de conocimiento, teniendo en cuenta que las repuestas de salud-enfermedad de los seres humanos, forman parte del núcleo central del relato y de los significados que las personas les otorgan.

Hybrid Connectionist Symbolic Model for Morphologic Recognition by Tactile Sensing

Morphology and texture detection, which are important components of tactile sensing, augment the response of human beings to external stimuli. Similarly, tactile sensing-based information acquisition systems in robots can help enhance the interactions of robots with the surroundings. The main drawback of morphology and texture sensing methods is their inability to explain and quantify sensing information, which makes it difficult to utilize prior knowledge and necessitates a new training process to fit the new task, even if the changes between the existing and new tasks are minuscule. Another drawback is its dependence on large datasets. To solve these problems, a hybrid connectionist symbolic model (HCSM) is proposed herein that combines historic symbolic knowledge and end-to-end neural networks. The symbolic model requires a smaller dataset and possesses an improved transferability of detection. Neural networks can be easily established and exhibit better fault tolerance for non-ideal samples. The HCSM model combines these advantages. Experiments with the tactile-based morphology and texture detection demonstrated that the new method can transfer the detection ability to fit new tasks without requiring additional retraining and has a 16% higher recognition precision than a convolutional neural network, LeNet, AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet. The HCSM method with these features can broaden the range of applications of tactile sensing.

Sparse Spatiotemporal Descriptor for Micro-Expression Recognition Using Enhanced Local Cube Binary Pattern

As a spontaneous facial expression, a micro-expression can reveal the psychological responses of human beings. Thus, micro-expression recognition can be widely studied and applied for its potentiality in clinical diagnosis, psychological research, and security. However, micro-expression recognition is a formidable challenge due to the short-lived time frame and low-intensity of the facial actions. In this paper, a sparse spatiotemporal descriptor for micro-expression recognition is developed by using the Enhanced Local Cube Binary Pattern (Enhanced LCBP). The proposed Enhanced LCBP is composed of three complementary binary features containing Spatial Difference Local Cube Binary Patterns (Spatial Difference LCBP), Temporal Direction Local Cube Binary Patterns (Temporal Direction LCBP), and Temporal Gradient Local Cube Binary Patterns (Temporal Gradient LCBP). With the application of Enhanced LCBP, it would no longer be a problem to provide binary features with spatiotemporal domain complementarity to capture subtle facial changes. In addition, due to the redundant information existing among the division grids, which affects the ability of descriptors to distinguish micro-expressions, the Multi-Regional Joint Sparse Learning is designed to perform feature selection for the division grids, thus paying more attention to the critical local regions. Finally, the Multi-kernel Support Vector Machine (SVM) is employed to fuse the selected features for the final classification. The proposed method exhibits great advantage and achieves promising results on four spontaneous micro-expression datasets. Through further observation of parameter evaluation and confusion matrix, the sufficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method are proved.

Galleria mellonella as a Novelty in vivo Model of Host-Pathogen Interaction for Malassezia furfur CBS 1878 and Malassezia pachydermatis CBS 1879.

Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis are lipophilic and lipid dependent yeasts, associated with the skin microbiota in humans and domestic animals, respectively. Although they are commensals, under specific conditions they become pathogens, causing skin conditions, such as pityriasis versicolor, dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis in humans, and dermatitis and otitis in dogs. Additionally, these species are associated with fungemia in immunocompromised patients and low-weight neonates in intensive care units with intravenous catheters or with parenteral nutrition and that are under-treatment of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The host-pathogen interaction mechanism in these yeasts is still unclear; for this reason, it is necessary to implement suitable new host systems, such as Galleria mellonella. This infection model has been widely used to assess virulence, host-pathogen interaction, and antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. Some advantages of the G. mellonella model are: (1) the immune response has phagocytic cells and antimicrobial peptides that are similar to those in the innate immune response of human beings; (2) no ethical implications; (3) low cost; and (4) easy to handle and inoculate. This study aims to establish G. mellonella as an in vivo infection model for M. furfur and M. pachydermatis. To achieve this objective, first, G. mellonella larvae were first inoculated with different inoculum concentrations of these two Malassezia species, 1.5 × 106 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL, and 11.5 × 109 CFU/mL, and incubated at 33 and 37°C. Then, for 15 days, the mortality and melanization were evaluated daily. Finally, the characterization of hemocytes and fungal burden assessment were as carried out. It was found that at 33 and 37°C both M. furfur and M. pachydermatis successfully established a systemic infection in G. mellonella. M. pachydermatis proved to be slightly more virulent than M. furfur at a temperature of 37°C. The results suggest that larvae mortality and melanization is dependent on the specie of Malassezia, the inoculum concentration and the temperature. According to the findings, G. mellonella can be used as an in vivo model of infection to conduct easy and reliable approaches to boost our knowledge of the Malassezia genus.

Should we Try to Alleviate Immunosenescence and Inflammaging - Why, How and to What Extent?

With advancing age, immune responses of human beings to external pathogens, i.e., bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, and to internal pathogens - malignant neoplasm cells - become less effective. Two major features in the process of aging of the human immune system are immunosenescence and inflammaging. The immune systems of our predecessors co-evolved with pathogens, which led to the occurrence of effective immunity. However, the otherwise beneficial activity may pose problems to the organism of the host and so it has builtin brakes (regulatory immune cells) and - with age - it undergoes adaptations and modifications, examples of which are the mentioned inflammaging and immunosenescence. Here we describe the mechanisms that first created our immune systems, then the consequences of their changes associated with aging, and the mechanisms of inflammaging and immunosenescence. Finally, we discuss to what extent both processes are detrimental and to what extent they might be beneficial and propose some therapeutic approaches for their wise control.

ACTUALIZACIÓN CLÍNICA-EPIDEMIOLÓGICA: INFECCIÓN HUMANA POR DIROFILARIA IMMITIS Y OTRAS FILARIAS ZOONÓTICAS

In the zoonotic heartworm, the life cycle is not completed and microfilariae are held within the uterus of the female, do not circulate, except Dipetalonema. These accidental infections to humans even though they are not so serious, except for Brugia spp. in patients with immunosuppression, they should be present as differential diagnostic of the human filariasis in endemic regions. The heartworm should be considered a health problem, as it has been often found in the heart and lungs of humans in USA, Japan and Australia. It is a differential diagnosis of neoplasia and conditions that require chest surgery. In Ecuador, as in other Latin American countries, remains the life cycle of heartworm in animals. The prevalence of infection with D. immitis in the canine population is high as well as the proliferation of mosquitoes. There are great under-registration in the diagnosis of this parasitosis. Specialists should take into account this infection in patients with injury only in the lung (coin lesion), must be microscopic studies of the nodule in search of the immature larva. The use of techniques such as molecular biology and inmunoserodiagnostico, is essential. Was carried out an in-depth review of published articles on the characteristics, clinical manifestations and current situation of the heartworm zoonotic, especially of Dirofilaria immitis and his response in human beings, as well as its current prevalence to level global and on the American continent. It is a neglected health problem and known but shocking consequences.

Cognitive Study for Language as a Complex Adaptive System: Evidence from Chinese WeChat Communications

The nature of language has always been the core issue of academic inquiry. Form and function, symbol and representation, linearity and system, static and dynamic, inner and outer, mind and brain, etc. are always the hot arguing topics in both linguistics and philosophical fields. The complex adaptive theory argues that language understanding requires whole-hearted intelligent participation and the adaptive selection of complex systems, which is the overall response of human beings to the external world and language stimulus. In order to prove this, this article chooses Chinese daily language on the WeChat as examples so as to provide evidence for explaining the complexity of language expression and language understanding. With thoughtful analysis and discussion by exploring the essential features of language evidence, this paper concludes that language understanding goes beyond the syntactic sequences of words and involves the whole cognition and adaptation of human being to the environment; semantic generation needs to mobilize the comprehensive coordination of all elements of human cognitive systems to produce the overall effect. It further indicates that thinking is literal and coherent, and suitable for logical modeling. This conclusion is in accordance with the biological and neural science claim by the second generation of cognitive science.

Sodium Fluoride (NaF) Induces Inflammatory Responses Via Activating MAPKs/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Reducing Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Expression in the Mouse Liver.

At present, no reports are focused on fluoride-induced hepatic inflammatory responses in human beings and animals. This study aimed to investigate the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and signaling molecules for evaluating the effect of different doses (0, 12, 24, and 48mg/kg) of sodium fluoride (NaF) on inflammatory reaction in the mouse liver by using methods of experimental pathology, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. We found that NaF in excess of 12mg/kg caused the hepatic inflammatory responses, and the results showed that NaF activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway by markedly increasing (p < 0.01 or p<0.05) mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 1/2 (MEK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 4/7 (MEK4/7), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 3/6 (MEK3/6), and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by increasing (p < 0.01 or p<0.05) the production of NF-κB and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKK-β) and reducing (p < 0.01 or p<0.05) the production of the inhibitory kappa B (IκB). Thus, NaF that caused the hepatic inflammatory responses was characterized by increasing (p < 0.01 or p<0.05) the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, and by significantly inhibiting (p < 0.01 or p<0.05) the production of anti-inflammatory mediators including interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β).

TO LEAVE OR TO LIVE: UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTHS VICTIMS OF THE TYPHOON HAIJAN IN CAPUTATAN NORTE, MEDELLIN, CEBU

The purpose of this research was to explore the lived experiences of the out of school youths (OSY) victims of the Typhoon Haijan in Caputatan Norte, Medellin, Cebu. A qualitative methodology using a phenomenology framework was employed, with semi-structured interview to facilitate the respondents reveal their lived experience. A convenience sample of five OSY’s who have direct experience of typhoon Haijan was needed to reach saturation. Data analysis was based on Colaizzi’s methodology. The whole process was based on the data, transcribed interviews, sorting, categorizations (cool analysis), categories as thematized (warm analysis) in a repertory grid or a dendogram that paved the way to discovering the value of the lived experiences of the out-of-school-youths victims of typhoon Haijan. The description of the lived experience revealed is the terrifying experience that emanate from the OSY internal and external environment of retreating, revealing, and regressing experience, the destructive experience that derives from the OSY’s understanding of detrimental, desuetude, and destitute observations, and the surviving experience that stems from exodus, endure, and empower experience. The themes, which emerged, suggest that the lived experience reflected a normal adaptation response of human beings siege with disasters.

Calvin, Society, and Social Change

ABSTRACT: For Calvin, the whole creation is equally under Gods sovereign will and the institutions of society are not arranged hierarchically but are differentiated according to vocation. Because of this differentiation, Gods calling is not mediated exclusively through one of them, so none can claim sovereignty over the others. They are to be arranged side by side in mutual support of one another, and Gods work is carried out by the free, voluntary obedience by Gods people. This led in turn to a stress on moving politics from being simply an elite occupation to one that is participatory-- the response of human beings who freely submit themselves to God and thus seek to transform the social, economic and political to reflect Gods order. It also led to a covenantal view ofpolitics that helped create modern federalism. KEYWORDS: Althusius, associations, Calvin, federalism, freedom, popular participation, vocation, subsidiarity.

The Gender Bender effect in Periodontal Immune Response.

The gender and sex of an individual is known to have a significant bearing on the immune system, responsible for protection against infections and disease. Contemporary evidence suggests there exists a sexual dimorphism in the hetero immune as well as autoimmune responses in human beings and females show stronger and more vigorous immune responses to antigenic stimulations, e.g infectious diseases and vaccination. The evidence supportive to gender based heterogeneity in immune responses specifically in context of periodontal disease, is mounting in contemporary literature. A thorough and methodical search for related scientific publications have been accomplished by using different key words and terms like sex or gender based immune differences in periodontal disease, both by manual methods and on various electronic databases. Primary research articles, narrative and systematic reviews of good quality, relevant to the subject were included. The aggregate effects of the factors related to gender such as the steroid hormones as well as gene based differences in both sexes as supported by published literature are in line with the observed variation in susceptibility for chronic periodontitis in both genders , with males showing more risk for disease than women. Gender as a risk factor for periodontal disease needs to identified, its underlying mechanisms to contribute needs to be revealed, so that novel strategies for risk assessment, disease identification and individualized therapeutic approaches can be developed for optimized patient care.

Nickel chloride (NiCl2)-caused inflammatory responses via activation of NF-κB pathway and reduction of anti-inflammatory mediator expression in the kidney

Nickel (Ni) or Ni compounds target a number of organs and produce multiple toxic effects. Kidney is the major organ for Ni accumulation and excretion. There are no investigations on the Ni- or Ni compounds-induced renal inflammatory responses in human beings and animals at present. Therefore, we determined NiCl2-caused alteration of inflammatory mediators, and functional damage in the broiler's kidney by the methods of biochemistry, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Dietary NiCl2 in excess of 300 mg/kg caused the renal inflammatory responses that characterized by increasing mRNA expression levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) via the activation of nucleic factor κB (NF-κB), and decreasing mRNA expression levels of the anti-inflammatory mediators including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). Concurrently, NiCl2 caused degeneration, necrosis and apoptosis of the tubular cells, which was consistent with the alteration of renal function parameters including elevated alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, and reduced activities of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase), calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca(2+)-ATPase), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the kidney. The above-mentioned results present that the activation of NF-κB pathway and reduction of anti-inflammatory mediator expression are main mechanisms of NiCl2-caused renal inflammatory responses and that the renal function is decreased or impaired after NiCl2-treated.

Modal analysis of human body vibration model for Indian subjects under sitting posture

Need and importance of modelling in human body vibration research studies are well established. The study of biodynamic responses of human beings can be classified into experimental and analytical methods. In the past few decades, plenty of mathematical models have been developed based on the diverse field measurements to describe the biodynamic responses of human beings. In this paper, a complete study on lumped parameter model derived from 50th percentile anthropometric data for a seated 54- kg Indian male subject without backrest support under free un-damped conditions has been carried out considering human body segments to be of ellipsoidal shape. Conventional lumped parameter modelling considers the human body as several rigid masses interconnected by springs and dampers. In this study, concept of mass of interconnecting springs has been incorporated and eigenvalues thus obtained are found to be closer to the values reported in the literature. Results obtained clearly establish decoupling of vertical and fore-and-aft oscillations.

20 years of leptin: role of leptin in energy homeostasis in humans.

The hyperphagia, low sympathetic nervous system tone, and decreased circulating concentrations of bioactive thyroid hormones that are common to states of congenital leptin deficiency and hypoleptinemia following and during weight loss suggest that the major physiological function of leptin is to signal states of negative energy balance and decreased energy stores. In weight-reduced humans, these phenotypes together with pronounced hypometabolism and increased parasympathetic nervous system tone create the optimal circumstance for weight regain. Based on the weight loss induced by leptin administration in states of leptin deficiency (obese) and observed similarity of phenotypes in states of congenital and dietary-induced states of hypoleptinemia (reduced obese), it has been suggested that exogenous leptin could potentially be useful in initiating, promoting, and sustaining weight reduction. However, the responses of human beings to exogenous leptin administration are dependent not only on extant energy stores but also on energy balance. Leptin administration to humans at usual weight has little, if any, effect on body weight while leptin administration during weight loss mitigates hunger, especially if given in supraphysiological doses during severe caloric restriction. Leptin repletion is most effective following weight loss by dietary restriction. In this state of weight stability but reduced energy stores, leptin at least partially reverses many of the metabolic, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral adaptations that favor weight regain. The major physiological function of leptin is to signal states of negative energy balance and decreased energy stores. Leptin, and pharmacotherapies affecting leptin signaling pathways, is likely to be most useful in sustaining weight loss.

Biological Values of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine: Impact on the Life Science

As treasures of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a history of more than 2,500 years and have achieved sound effects in the clinical practice [1]. The effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbs have usually been demonstrated by biological regulations of physiological and pathological processes [2, 3], which are inherent responses of human beings and of great importance in the life science research. In recent years, the researches of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have improved significantly due to the prosperity and development of modern life science technology [4–7]. At the same time, the studies of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have in turn enhanced the development of biomedical science as well as the understanding of life [8–10] and offered new perspectives that can benefit modern medicine [11, 12]. However, the major challenge of the integration of TCM with modern medicine is the inadequate understanding of the biological foundation of TCM experience and concepts. In order to deepen our knowledge of TCM, it is important to clarify the biological value and mechanistic action of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, which may turn hypothesis to solid data-based research and creative discovery of life science. We are excited to present our readers with this special issue that summarizes recent discoveries and knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This specialized issue collects 24 original research articles and 4 reviews that provide the clinical or animal-based evidence elucidating the impacts of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on the life science. Among these original research articles, the biological functions and potential mechanisms of acupuncture and Chinese herbal drugs in disease treatment were demonstrated in animal models of diseases such as focal cerebral ischemia, pain, atopic dermatitis, insomnia, fatty liver, and Crohn's disease. Two papers are on cancer cells: Han-Peng Kuo et al. reported that Ganoderma tsugae extract inhibited the growth of HER2-overexpressing cancer cells and enhanced the growth inhibitory effect of antitumor drugs via the modulation of HER2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway; Xiu-Feng Wang et al. showed that PC-SPESII herbal extract could impair human breast cancer metastasis by regulating proteolytic enzymes and matrix dynamics through the p38MAPK and SAPK/JNK pathway. Additionally, You Ning et al. reported the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative and prodifferentiative effects of psoralen on adult neural stem cells using DNA microarray. Interestingly, two research articles (Lei-Miao Yin et al. and Xiang-Gen Zhong et al.) simultaneously focused on the same issue, specific link between the lung and the large intestine, which provide new lines of evidence for the modern biological theory of “exterior-interior correlation between Zang and Fu organs.” The review by Yu Wang et al. presented a comprehensive overview of the researches on acupuncture effective biomolecules, covered diverse carriers such as cerebrospinal fluid, serum, organs, and tissues, and discussed how to promote the development of biological medicine based on the discovery of acupuncture effective biomolecules. The other 3 review articles also provided us with current understanding of biological values of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on inflammatory bowel diseases, amblyopia, and glucose and lipids metabolism, respectively. In summary, this special issue provides up-to-date and valuable information about the role of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the life science. Accordingly, future researches with modern technologies would further advance our understanding of the biological effects and cellular/molecular bases for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in diverse diseases.

Mechanism of Immunopotentiation and Safety of Aluminum Adjuvants

Aluminum-containing adjuvants are widely used in preventive vaccines against infectious diseases and in preparations for allergy immunotherapy. The mechanism by which they enhance the immune response remains poorly understood. Aluminum adjuvants selectively stimulate a Th2 immune response upon injection of mice and a mixed response in human beings. They support activation of CD8 T cells, but these cells do not undergo terminal differentiation to cytotoxic T cells. Adsorption of antigens to aluminum adjuvants enhances the immune response by facilitating phagocytosis and slowing the diffusion of antigens from the injection site which allows time for inflammatory cells to accumulate. The adsorptive strength is important as high affinity interactions interfere with the immune response. Adsorption can also affect the physical and chemical stability of antigens. Aluminum adjuvants activate dendritic cells via direct and indirect mechanisms. Phagocytosis of aluminum adjuvants followed by disruption of the phagolysosome activates NLRP3-inflammasomes resulting in the release of active IL-1β and IL-18. Aluminum adjuvants also activate dendritic cells by binding to membrane lipid rafts. Injection of aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines causes the release of uric acid, DNA, and ATP from damaged cells which in turn activate dendritic cells. The use of aluminum adjuvant is limited by weak stimulation of cell-mediated immunity. This can be enhanced by addition of other immunomodulatory molecules. Adsorption of these molecules is determined by the same mechanisms that control adsorption of antigens and can affect the efficacy of such combination adjuvants. The widespread use of aluminum adjuvants can be attributed in part to the excellent safety record based on a 70-year history of use. They cause local inflammation at the injection site, but also reduce the severity of systemic and local reactions by binding biologically active molecules in vaccines.