Expression and clinical significance of programmed death ligand 1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has the highest incidence of all types of head and neck cancer in China. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in NPC tissues and clinicopathological features, as well the outcomes for NPC patients. In addition, the association between tissue expression of PD-L1 and immune components in peripheral blood was assessed.

Rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

To improve the diagnosis and treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infection and reduce the misuse of antibiotics, we sought to establish a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of Mp.Six primers specific for the Mp P1 gene were designed, and the LAMP method was used to rapidly detect Mp. The sensitivity of the LAMP method was determined by serial dilution of the standard Mp strain FH (standard strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae).

Production of Minor Ginenosides from by Microwave Processing Method and Evaluation of Their Blood-Enriching and Hemostatic Activity.

A green solvent extraction technology involving a microwave processing method was used to increase the content of minor ginsenosides from . This article aims to investigate the optimization of preparation of the minor ginsenosides by this microwave processing method using single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM), and discuss the blood-enriching activity and hemostatic activity of the extract of microwave processed (EMPN) The RSM for production of the minor ginsenosides was based on a three-factor and three-level Box-Behnken design. When the optimum conditions of microwave power, temperature and time were 495.

Transcriptome Analysis of Potential miRNA Involved in Adipogenic Differentiation of C2C12 Myoblasts.

>Emerging evidence indicates that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in adipogenesis and disease pathogenesis. To investigate the miRNA involved in regulating different periods of adipogenesis, we performed a comprehensive study on microRNAome during the stimulation of adipogenesis by an adipogenic differentiation cocktail in C2C12 myoblasts at 0, 2, 4, and 7 days using the Solexa sequencing technology. In this study, we identified 52 differentially expressed (DE) miRNA.

An Antimicrobial Peptide-Loaded Gelatin/Chitosan Nanofibrous Membrane Fabricated by Sequential Layer-by-Layer Electrospinning and Electrospraying Techniques.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique is widely used in the treatment of bone defects caused by peri-implantitis, periodontal disease, etc. However, the GBR membranes commonly used in clinical treatments currently have no antibacterial activity. Therefore, in this study, sequential layer-by-layer electrospinning and electrospraying techniques were utilized to prepare a gelatin (Gln) and chitosan (CS) composite GBR membrane containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) and antimicrobial peptide (Pac-525)-loaded PLGA microspheres (AMP@PLGA-MS), which was supposed to have osteogenic and antibacterial activities.

Adipocyte-derived Lysophosphatidylcholine Activates Adipocyte and Adipose Tissue Macrophage Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 Inflammasomes Mediating Homocysteine-Induced Insulin Resistance.

The adipose Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome senses danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and initiates insulin resistance, but the mechanisms of adipose inflammasome activation remains elusive. In this study, Homocysteine (Hcy) is revealed to be a DAMP that activates adipocyte NLRP3 inflammasomes, participating in insulin resistance. Hcy-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes were observed in both adipocytes and adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and mediated insulin resistance.

Overexpression of S100A14 contributes to malignant progression and predicts poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: S100A14 is a member of the S100 calcium-binding protein family that exerts important phenotypic effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and motility. However, the functional role and potential clinical significance of S100A14 in lung adenocarcinoma has not yet been clarified.

Methods: We analyzed genomic alterations of S100A14 using The Cancer Genome Atlas lung adenocarcinoma genomic dataset.

PKM2-dependent metabolic reprogramming in CD4 T cells is crucial for hyperhomocysteinemia-accelerated atherosclerosis.

Unlabelled: Inflammation mediated by activated T cells plays an important role in the initiation and progression of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-accelerated atherosclerosis in ApoE mice. Homocysteine (Hcy) activates T cells to secrete proinflammatory cytokines, especially interferon (IFN)-γ; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Metabolic reprogramming is critical for T cell inflammatory activation and effector functions.

Shifting plant species composition in response to climate change stabilizes grassland primary production.

The structure and function of alpine grassland ecosystems, including their extensive soil carbon stocks, are largely shaped by temperature. The Tibetan Plateau in particular has experienced significant warming over the past 50 y, and this warming trend is projected to intensify in the future. Such climate change will likely alter plant species composition and net primary production (NPP).

Highly Efficient Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid into γ-Valerolactone using an Iron Pincer Complex.

The search for nonprecious-metal-based catalysts for the synthesis of γ-valerolactone (GVL) through hydrogenation of levulinic acid and its derivatives in an efficient fashion is of great interest and importance, as GVL is an important a sustainable liquid. We herein report a pincer iron complex that can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of levulinic acid and methyl levulinate into GVL, achieving a turnover number of up to 23 000 and a turnover frequency of 1917 h . This iron-based catalyst also enabled the formation of GVL from various biomass-derived carbohydrates in aqueous solution, thus paving a new way toward a renewable chemical industry.

Formation and in vitro/in vivo performance of "cortex-like" micro/nano-structured TiO coatings on titanium by micro-arc oxidation.

A novel "cortex-like" micro/nano dual-scale structured TiO coating was prepared on a titanium surface by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) with tetraborate electrolytes. This structure, which combines microslots with nanopores, exhibits super hydrophilicity. This coating modified the surface structure, chemistry, and hydrophilicity in a one-step treatment.

H19 Facilitates Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Migration and Invasion via Sponging miR-let-7.

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been described to participate in the metastasis of various tumors. Nevertheless, whether H19 promotes or impedes tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell migration and invasion remains controversial. Here we found that the expression of H19 was elevated in TSCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues.

HIF1-Induced Glycolysis Metabolism Is Essential to the Activation of Inflammatory Macrophages.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1 is a metabolic regulator that plays an important role in immunologic responses. Previous studies have demonstrated that HIF1 participates in the M1 polarization of macrophages. To clarify the mechanism of HIF1-induced polarization of M1 macrophage, myeloid-specific HIF1 overexpression (Lysm HIF1 lsl) mice were employed and the bone marrow-derived and peritoneal macrophages were isolated.

Trait-abundance relation in response to nutrient addition in a Tibetan alpine meadow: The importance of species trade-off in resource conservation and acquisition.

In competition-dominated communities, traits promoting resource conservation and competitive ability are expected to have an important influence on species relative abundance (SRA). Yet, few studies have tested the trait-abundance relations in the line of species trade-off in resource conservation versus acquisition, indicating by multiple traits coordination. We measured SRA and key functional traits involving leaf economic spectrum (SLA, specific leaf area; LDMC, leaf dry matter content; LCC, leaf carbon concentration; LNC, leaf nitrogen concentration; LPC, leaf phosphorus concentration; Hs, mature height) for ten common species in all plots subjected to addition of nitrogen fertilizer (N), phosphorus fertilizer (P), or both of them (NP) in a Tibetan alpine meadow.

Enhanced glycometabolism as a mechanism of NQO1 potentiated growth of NSCLC revealed by metabolomic profiling.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), a cytoplasmic 2-electron reductase, has been considered as a potential poor prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its frequent overexpression and significantly increased activity in NSCLC. Previous studies have shown that depleting tumor-NQO1 potentiates anoikis and inhibits growth of NSCLC. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby NQO1 potentiates proliferation have not been fully understood.

Programmable Payload Release from Transient Polymer Microcapsules Triggered by a Specific Ion Coactivation Effect.

Stimuli-responsive materials activated by a pair of molecular or ionic species are of interest in the design of chemical logic gates and signal amplification schemes. There are relatively few materials whose coactivated response has been well-characterized. Here, we demonstrate a specific ion coactivation (SICA) effect at the interfaces of transient polymer solids and liquid solutions.

Emergence and mechanism of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in Henan, China, 2014.

The emergence and dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains is a main risk for global public health, but little is known of carbapenemase producing E. coli in Henan, China.

Combination therapy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and FTY720 attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in a murine model.

ALI/ARDS remain the main reason of morbidity and mortality in the critically ill. Studies have indicated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) can be useful in the treatment of ALI/ARDS. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its analog FTY720 significantly reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung edema and inflammatory lung injury.

Detecting impaired vision caused by AMD from gaze data.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of blindness and the first one in the elderly. AMD usually causes central blindness due to loss of photoreceptor cell . In this paper, we propose to detect AMD caused vision impairment from gaze data.

Automatic visual impairment detection system for age-related eye diseases through gaze analysis.

Visual impairment associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) often results in a central scotoma which is an alteration in the central vision, leading to distortion or loss of vision. Current methods for assessing visual performance such as Amsler grid and Microperimetry are typically manual and have limitations as an indicator of visual field. In this paper, we present an automated system for detecting visual impairment through gaze tracking (AVIGA).

Fabrication of Antimicrobial Peptide-Loaded PLGA/Chitosan Composite Microspheres for Long-Acting Bacterial Resistance.

An antimicrobial decapeptide, KSL-W (KKVVFWVKFK-CONH₂), which could maintain stable antimicrobial activity in saliva, has therefore been widely used to inhibit biofilm formation on teeth and prevent the growth of oral microorganisms for related infectious diseases treatment. In order to control the release of KSL-W for long-term bacterial resistance, KSL-W-loaded PLGA/chitosan composite microspheres (KSL/PLGA/CS MSs) were prepared by electrospraying and combined crosslinking-emulsion methods. Different formulations of microspheres were characterized as to surface morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and antimicrobial activity.

Omega-3 PUFA ameliorates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced hepatic steatosis in mice by inhibiting hepatic ceramide synthesis.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a key risk factor in hepatic steatosis. In this study, we applied a metabolomic approach to investigate the changes in the metabolite profile due to HHcy-induced hepatic steatosis and the effects of omega-3 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) supplementation in mice. HHcy was induced in mice by giving DL-Hcy (1.

Metabolomics analysis reveals that benzo[a]pyrene, a component of PM, promotes pulmonary injury by modifying lipid metabolism in a phospholipase A2-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro.

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5μM (PM) is one of the major environmental pollutants in China. In this study, we carried out a metabolomics profile study on PM-induced inflammation.

Isolation and Whole-genome Sequence Analysis of the Imipenem Heteroresistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolate HRAB-85.

Objectives: Heteroresistance is a phenomenon in which there are various responses to antibiotics from bacterial cells within the same population. Here, we isolated and characterised an imipenem heteroresistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain (HRAB-85).

Methods: The genome of strain HRAB-85 was completely sequenced and analysed to understand its antibiotic resistance mechanisms.