Publications by authors named "Aihua Dai"

Understanding essential signaling network requirements and making appropriate adjustments in culture conditions are crucial if porcine pluripotent stem cells (PSC) are to achieve their full potential. Here, we first used two protein factors (LIF and FGF2) and kinase inhibitor combinations in attempts to convert primed type lentiviral-reprogrammed porcine induced PSC (Lv-piPSC) into naïve-like state and developed a medium called FL6i. In addition to FGF2 and LIF, this medium contained inhibitors of MAPK14, MAPK8, TGFB1, MAP2K1, GSK3A and BMP.

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We describe a model for early onset preeclampsia (EOPE) that uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from umbilical cords of EOPE and control (CTL) pregnancies. These iPSCs were then converted to placental trophoblast (TB) representative of early pregnancy. Marker gene analysis indicated that both sets of cells differentiated at comparable rates.

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Gene expression divergence is an important evolutionary driving force for the retention of duplicate genes. In this study, we identified three subfamily genes in soybean, , and , which experienced different duplication events. was mainly expressed in leaf tissue and the vegetative phase, whereas was mainly expressed in floral tissue and seed, i.

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Adeno-associated virus-mediated (AAV-mediated) CRISPR editing is a revolutionary approach for treating inherited diseases. Sustained, often life-long mutation correction is required for treating these diseases. Unfortunately, this has never been demonstrated with AAV CRISPR therapy.

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Current long term cryopreservation of cell stocks routinely requires the use of liquid nitrogen (LN), because commonly used cryopreservation media containing cell membrane permeating cryoprotectants are thermally unstable when frozen at higher storage temperatures, e.g. -80 °C.

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Human transforming growth factor β-activated kinase (TAK1)-binding protein 3 (TAB3) is a regulator of NF-κB which has been mainly found in a variety of cancers. While TAB3 is highly expressed in brain tissue, little is known about the function of TAB3 in central nervous system. Our group established an animal ICH model with autologous whole blood injected into brain, and also a cell ICH model with hemin stimulation.

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PRDM5 (PR domain containing 5) belongs to PRDM family which consists of transcriptional regulators that modulate cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the function of PRDM5 in central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory response is unknown. In recent study, an adult rat neuroinflammation model via lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lateral ventricle injection was constructed.

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Initial exposure of macrophages to LPS induces hyporesponsiveness to a second challenge with LPS, a phenomenon termed LPS tolerance. Smad4 plays important roles in the induction of LPS tolerance. However, the function of Smad4 in microglia remains unknown.

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In order to study whether Tnfaip3 is related to stress response and further to find it's genetic regulation, we use C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2 (D2) mice to built the model of chronic unpredictable mild stress. RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used for studying the expression variation of Tnfaip3 in hippocampus tissue of B6 and D2 mice after being stressed. We found that the expression of Tnfaip3 was more remarkably increased in chronic unpredictable stress models than that in untreated mice (P<0.

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Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crops in the world, and its yield is largely determined by grain weight and grain size. However, the genes that regulate soybean seed size have not been identified. CYP78A, which is highly conserved within terrestrial plants, regulates organ development.

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Kpnb1, also known as Importin β1, is a member of the Karyopherin protein family which plays a important role in nuclear import and export pathways. Its expression has been shown to be responsive to stress, such as heat shock, ethanol and oxidative stress. Previous studies demonstrated that Kpnb1 had anti-apoptotic in cervical cancer.

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Interferon gamma-induced GTPase (IGTP), which is also named Irgm3, has been widely described in regulating host resistance against intracellular pathogens. Previous researches have demonstrated that IGTP exerts beneficial function during coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. However, little information is available regarding the role of IGTP in central nervous system.

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Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) has invoked considerable interest because of its presence in foods, antioxidant properties, cofactor of dehydrogenase, and amine oxidase. Protective roles of PQQ in central nervous system diseases, such as experimental stroke and spinal cord injury models have been emerged. However, it is unclear whether intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), as an acute devastating disease, can also benefit from PQQ in experimental conditions.

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The novel Krüppel-like zinc finger protein Gli-similar 2 (Glis2), one member of the transcription factors, is involved in controlling the flow of genetic information and the modulation of diverse cellular activities. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated its important roles in adult development and several diseases. However, information regarding the regulation and possible function of Glis2 in the central nervous system is still limited.

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Background: Signs of severe oxidative stress are evident in term placentae of infants born to mothers with preeclampsia (PE), but it is unclear whether this is a cause or consequence of the disease. Here fibroblast lines were established from umbilical cords (UC) delivered by mothers who had experienced early onset PE and from controls with the goal of converting these primary cells to induced pluripotent stem cells and ultimately trophoblast. Contrary to expectations, the oxidative stress responses of these non-placental cells from PE infants were more severe than those from controls.

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Neuronal identity depends on the regulated expression of numerous molecular components, especially ionic channels, which determine the electrical signature of a neuron. Such regulation depends on at least two key factors, activity itself and neuromodulatory input. Neuronal electrical activity can modify the expression of ionic currents in homeostatic or nonhomeostatic fashion.

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Intestinal tumors in Apc(Min/+) mice are suppressed by over-production of HPGDS, which is a glutathione transferase that forms prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). We characterized naturally occurring HPGDS isoenzymes, to see if HPGDS variation is associated with human colorectal cancer risk. We used DNA heteroduplex analysis and sequencing to identify HPGDS variants among healthy individuals.

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To elucidate the physiological mechanism of chilling stress mitigated by cinnamic acid (CA) pretreatment, a cucumber variety (Cucumis sativus cv. Jinchun no. 4) was pretreated with 50 μM CA for 2d and was then cultivated at two temperatures (15/8 and 25/18 °C) for 1d.

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Aranesp (darbepoietin alfa) is a biologically modified form of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo). Two additional carbohydrate-binding sites give Aranesp a half-life about three times that of rHuEpo. Extensive studies in adults and early studies in children indicate that Aranesp can be administered far less frequently than rHuEpo with an equivalent erythropoietic effect.

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Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are a family of enzymes that detoxify electrophilic compounds, such as carcinogens or drugs, by conjugating them to glutathione. The enzymes have contributed to the understanding of protein structure, due to large differences in amino acid sequence within the family, yet similar architecture and folding. Our objective was to conduct a systematic survey of GSTP1 polymorphisms and their function.

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Prostaglandin H synthase 2 (also known as cyclooxygenase-2) is thought to play a role in the prevention of colon cancer by aspirin, an inhibitor of the enzyme. We used DNA heteroduplex analysis to screen the prostaglandin H synthase 2 gene, to search for naturally occurring enzyme variants that may simulate the effects of aspirin. We found among African-Americans a single-nucleotide polymorphism that changes valine to alanine at residue 511 (V511A; GTT>GCT; g.

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