AIM2 is a potential therapeutic target in human renal carcinoma and suppresses its invasion and metastasis via enhancing autophagy induction.

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) as a tumor suppressor is recently recognized to play an important role in many human solid tumors. However, the biological significance and function of AIM2 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unknown. In this study, we proposed to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of AIM2 in RCC patient specimens, to analyze the correlation between AIM2 expression and disease progression, and to further investigate the role and mechanism of AIM2 in malignant behaviors of renal carcinoma by cellular and animal models.

Mesenchymal stromal cells attenuate sevoflurane-induced apoptosis in human neuroglioma H4 cells.

Background: Inhalation of sevoflurane can induce neuronal apoptosis, cognitive impairment and abnormal behaviors. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can secret neurotrophic factors and cytokines to protect from oxidative stress-related neuronal apoptosis. However, whether MSCs can protect from sevoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and the potential mechanisms are unclear.

The expressions of CD133, ALDH1, and vasculogenic mimicry in osteosarcoma and their clinical significance.

Background And Purpose: Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, which is more likely to recur and metastasize at the early stages. Cancer stem cells (CSC, CD133 is a biomarker of cancer stem cells), angiogenesis, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) are closely related to tumor metastasis and recurrence. In this study, we investigated the associations among CD133, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), and VM in osteosarcoma, and their associations with clinical characteristics.

[Effect of dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane for general anesthesia during dental treatment in pediatric patients].

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane for general anesthesia during dental treatment in pediatric patients.

Methods: One hundred and twenty pediatric patients undergoing dental treatment were randomly divided into sevoflurane combined dexmedetomidine group（D group）and sevoflurane group (S group), 60 children in each group. Children in group D inhaled 4%-6% sevoflurane and intravenously received fentanyl 1 μg/kg, midazolam 0.

Thermoelectric Performance of SbTe-Based Alloys is Improved by Introducing PN Junctions.

Interface engineering has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric (TE) performance of materials. However, a very typical interface in semiconductors, that is, the PN junction (PNJ), is scarcely adopted by the thermoelectrical community because of the coexistence of holes and electrons. Interestingly, our explorative results provide a definitively positive case that appropriate PNJs are able to enhance the TE performance of p-type SbTe-based alloys.

MicroRNA-145 promotes esophageal cancer cells proliferation and metastasis by targeting SMAD5.

Objective: To clarify the relative expression and molecular function of microRNA (miR)-145 in esophageal cancer and understand its mechanistic involvement in this disease.

Material And Methods: The relative expression of miR-145 in clinical samples was analyzed using the public GSE43732 dataset. The prognostic analysis with respect to miR-145 expression was performed with Kaplan-Meier plot.

VDR Agonist Prevents Diabetic Endothelial Dysfunction through Inhibition of Prolyl Isomerase-1-Mediated Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Background And Aim: Upregulation of prolyl isomerase-1 (Pin1) protein expression and activity was associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy through induction of endothelial oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, VDR agonist protects against high glucose-induced endothelial apoptosis through the inhibition of oxidative stress. We aimed to explore the effects of the VDR agonist on diabetes-associated endothelial dysfunction and the role of Pin1 in this process.

Relationship between high platelet reactivity on clopidogrel and long-term clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stents implantation (PAINT-DES): a prospective, propensity score-matched cohort study.

Background: The relationship between platelet reactivity and long-term clinical outcomes remains controversial. The present prospective study was designed to explore the association between high platelet reactivity (HPR) on clopidogrel and long-term clinical outcomes following implantation of drug eluting stents (DES).

Methods: A total of 1769 consecutive patients assessed by Aggrestar (PL-11) were enrolled at our center from February 2011 to December 2017.

Nrf2 Activation Induced by Sirt1 Ameliorates Acute Lung Injury After Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Through NOX4-Mediated Gene Regulation.

Background/aims: Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a major stress-response transcription factor that has been implicated in regulating ischemic angiogenesis. We investigated the effects of Nrf2 in regulating revascularization and modulating acute lung injury.

Methods: The expression of Nrf2 and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) was assessed in lung tissue by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (IIR) in Nrf2-/- and wild-type (WT) mice.

Expression of Reg IV and SOX9 and their correlation in human gastric cancer.

Background: Reg IV is a member of the regenerating gene family and has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in gastric cancer. However, the functional mechanism of Reg IV in gastric cancer is still unclear.

Methods: Expression of Reg IV and SOX9 were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time PCR, and the correlation between the expression of Reg IV and SOX9 was analyzed in gastric cancer tissues.

The development of CAR design for tumor CAR-T cell therapy.

In recent years, the chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells (Chimeric antigen receptor T cells, CAR-T) immunotherapy has developed rapidly, which has been considered the most promising therapy. Efforts to enhance the efficacy of CAR-based anti-tumor therapy have been made, such as the improvement of structures of CAR-T cells, including the development of extracellular antigen recognition receptors, intracellular co-stimulatory molecules and the combination application of CARs and synthetic small molecules. In addition, effects on the function of the CAR-T cells that the space distance between the antigen binding domains and tumor targets and the length of the spacer domains have are also being investigated.

Synergistic Effects of Cabozantinib and EGFR-Specific CAR-NK-92 Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cell (CAR-T and CAR-NK) therapies are newly developed adoptive treatments of cancers. However, their therapeutic efficacy against solid tumors is limited. Combining CAR-T or CAR-NK cells with chemotherapeutic drugs to treat solid tumor may be a promising strategy.

Impact of the Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System on the Progression of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in a Baboon Model.

Background: Understanding the relationship between the levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasingly important as use of the LNG-IUS grows to include women at higher risk for STIs. This study assessed the impact of the LNG-IUS on development of Chlamydia trachomatis pelvic inflammatory disease, using a baboon model.

Methods: Baboons with and those without the LNG-IUS were cervically inoculated with C.

Histone acetyltransferase encoded by NGG1 is required for morphological conversion and virulence of Candida albicans.

Aim: To assess the function of Ngg1 in Candida albicans and reveal the role of NGG1 in the morphological conversion and virulence of C. albicans.

Materials & Methods: C.

High expression of prostate tumor overexpressed 1 (PTOV1) is a potential prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer.

Background: To investigate the role of prostate tumor overexpressed 1 (PTOV1) in the development and progression of human cervical cancer.

Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to explore PTOV1 expression in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Cell proliferation capability was examined by MTT assay.

Custom built nonlinear optical crosslinking (NLO CXL) device capable of producing mechanical stiffening in ex vivo rabbit corneas.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a nonlinear optical device to photoactivate riboflavin to produce spatially controlled collagen crosslinking and mechanical stiffening within the cornea. A nonlinear optical device using a variable numerical aperture objective was built and coupled to a Chameleon femtosecond laser. Ex vivo rabbit eyes were then saturated with riboflavin and scanned with various scanning parameters over a 4 mm area in the central cornea.

Luteolin Promotes Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Autophagy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Luteolin, a flavonoid from traditional Chinese medicine, shows anti-cancer activity in many cancer cells, including HCC. However, the mechanism underlying the action of luteolin in HCC, especially its role in regulating cell autophagy, remains unclear.

AIM2 Co-immunization with VP1 Is Associated with Increased Memory CD8 T Cells and Mounts Long Lasting Protection against Coxsackievirus B3 Challenge.

The recurrent Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection is the most important cause of intractable myocarditis which often leads to chronic myocarditis and even dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, enhanced DNA vaccines capable of memory CD8 T cells are essential for long-lasting immunological protection against CVB3 infection. In this study, absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) was used as an adjuvant to enhance the induction of memory CD8 T cells elicited by VP1 (viral capsid protein 1) vaccine.

Potent Synergism of Fluconazole and Osthole against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans.

Osthole is a natural coumarin that exhibits wide biological and pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, osteogenic, immunomodulation, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the antifungal effects of osthole A checkerboard microdilution assay showed that osthole has significant synergistic effect with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Similar results were obtained from a growth curve assay. Meanwhile, XTT reduction assay demonstrated the synergism of fluconazole and osthole against biofilm formation.

Lithium vanadate nanowires@reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites on titanium foil with super high capacities for lithium-ion batteries.

With a theoretically high capacity and suitable discharge/charge plateaus, lithium vanadates (such as LiVO) can be used as cathode material for lithium ion batteries. Herein, LiVO nanowires are densely anchored onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets to form a LiVO@rGO nanocomposite by a hydrothermal method with subsequent thermal treatment. Due to this unique structure, the LiVO@rGO exhibits remarkable rate performance and excellent cycling stability.

Penetration of Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin into the Alveolar Epithelial Lining Fluid of Rats with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

We determined the concentration-time profiles of ciprofloxacin and amikacin in serum and alveolar epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of rats with or without pulmonary fibrosis and investigated the effect of pulmonary fibrosis on the capacity for penetration of antimicrobials into the ELF of rats. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in rats with a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. After intravenous injection of ciprofloxacin or amikacin, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected.

Down-regulation of ASIC1 suppressed gastric cancer via inhibiting autophagy.

As autophagy has anti-apoptosis effect and accelerates cell survival, many studies start to target autophagy as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) was reported to activate autophagy. However, whether ASICs can regulate gastric cancer through autophagy is unknown.

Directly Modifying the Nonbonded Potential Based on the Standard Iterative Boltzmann Inversion Method for Coarse-Grained Force Fields.

Effective potentials are of great importance for coarse-grained (CG) simulations, which can be obtained by the structure-based iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) method. However, the standard IBI method is incapable of maintaining the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the CG model in agreement with those of the all-atom model. Unlike the existing techniques, such as introducing friction force as the dissipative force to reduce the superatom motion while keeping the conservative force arising from the CG potential intact, we directly modified the standard IBI nonbonded potential by adding an empirical function.