Activating transcription factor 4 mediates a multidrug resistance phenotype of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells through transactivation of STAT3 expression.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major challenge to the clinical treatment of esophageal cancer. The stress response gene activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is involved in homeostasis and cellular protection. However, relatively little is known about the expression and function of ATF4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) MDR.

Activating transcription factor 4 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion and metastasis in mice and is associated with poor prognosis in human patients.

Background: Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a stress response gene that is involved in homeostasis and cellular protection. However, its expression and function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinicopathologic significance of ATF4 in ESCC and its potential role in ESCC invasion and metastasis.

Reverse transcription through a bulky triazole linkage in RNA: implications for RNA sequencing.

A triazole linkage is formed in RNA by untemplated strain-promoted or CuAAC chemical ligation of 3'-azide and 5'-cyclooctyne oligonucleotides under denaturing conditions. Reverse transcriptase reads through these artificial linkages with omission of one nucleotide. These surprising results have implications for RNA isolation, amplification, sequencing and a variety of biological applications.

The moderating effect of stimulus attractiveness on the effect of alcohol consumption on attractiveness ratings.

Aims: To explore the enhancing effect of alcohol consumption on attractiveness ratings, in that few studies on the Beer Goggles effect control the stimuli attractiveness level and researchers have seldom considered extending the effect to stimuli other than faces.

Methods: Male and female participants (n = 103) were randomly assigned to alcohol consumption or placebo groups. Both groups were asked to assess the attractiveness of two types of pictures (faces and landscapes) with three levels of attractiveness for each stimulus category (high, moderate and low).

Treatment of renal parapelvic cysts with a flexible ureteroscope.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of a flexible ureteroscope to treat renal parapelvic cysts. Treatment goals included avoidance of injury to renal vessels or hilar structure and minimizing the recurrence of cysts.

Patients And Methods: Renal parapelvic cysts from 15 patients that were incised and drained with a flexible ureteroscope were evaluated retrospectively between October 2011 and May 2013.

Two-dimensional tetrathiafulvalene covalent organic frameworks: towards latticed conductive organic salts.

The construction of a new class of covalent TTF lattice by integrating TTF units into two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) is reported. We explored a general strategy based on the C2 +C2 topological diagram and applied to the synthesis of microporous and mesoporous TTF COFs. Structural resolutions revealed that both COFs consist of layered lattices with periodic TTF columns and tetragonal open nanochannels.

Towards covalent organic frameworks with predesignable and aligned open docking sites.

A strategy for the synthesis of covalent organic frameworks with open docking sites is developed. The docking sites are ordered on the channel walls and structurally predesignable for meeting various types of noncovalent interactions, thus opening a way towards designing supramolecular materials based on crystalline porous organic frameworks.

The differences in homocysteine level between obstructive sleep apnea patients and controls: a meta-analysis.

Background: Studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and homocysteine (HCY) level. This study aimed to assess the difference in plasma HCY level between OSA patients and controls by conducting a meta-analysis of published studies.

Methods: Database of PubMed, SCI, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) were comprehensively searched.

Capn4 is a marker of poor clinical outcomes and promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis via nuclear factor-κB-induced matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression.

Calpain small subunit 1 (Capn4) plays a key role in tumor migration or invasion. In this study, expression and function of Capn4 was investigated in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here we report that both mRNA and protein levels of Capn4 were elevated in NPC tissues when compared to normal NP tissues.

Redox-active conjugated microporous polymers: a new organic platform for highly efficient energy storage.

Conjugated microporous polymers are developed as a new platform for lithium-battery energy storage, which features a near-unity coulombic efficiency, high capacity and cycle stability. The polymers exhibit synergistic structural effects on facilitating charge dynamics by virtue of their built-in redox skeletons, open nanopores and large surface areas.

Correlation between the cystathionine-γ-lyase (CES) and the severity of peptic ulcer disease.

Background: The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important causes of gastric ulcer disease. The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in H.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on homocysteine levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), but previous studies assessing the effect of CPAP on homocysteine (HCY) in patients with OSAHS yielded conflicting results. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether CPAP therapy could reduce plasma HCY levels.

Methods: Searches of PUBMED, SCI, and Elsevier databases were completed.

A novel finding for enterovirus virulence from the capsid protein VP1 of EV71 circulating in mainland China.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a neurotropic virus that causes various clinical manifestations in young children, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Different pathotypes of EV71 notably differ in virulence. Several virulence determinants of EV71 have been predicted.

Regulation and expression of aberrant methylation on irinotecan metabolic genes CES2, UGT1A1 and GUSB in the in-vitro cultured colorectal cancer cells.

Objective: To evaluate the aberrant methylation gene expression related to the irinotecan (CPT-11) metabolic enzymes in different colorectal cancer cell strains; provide new thoughts and measures for reverse of tumor drug resistance.

Methods: Studied the aberrant methylation state of CES2, UGT1A1 and GUSB in eight colorectal cancer cell strains through MSP method; and analyze the expression of the target gene after being dealt with DAC.

Results: UGT1A1 showed methylation in five cell strains, while CES2 and GUSB respectively showed consistent unmethylation or hemimethylation.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of dipfluzine and its three metabolites in rat plasma using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A validated LC-MS/MS method to determine the content of dipfluzine (Dip) and its three metabolites (M1, M2, and M5) simultaneously within rat plasma samples was developed. After a single liquid-liquid extraction, the assay was performed by using a C18 column and positive electrospray ionisation mode (ESI) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with transitions of m/z 417.3→167.

MicroRNA-503 acts as a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma for multiple antitumor effects by targeting IGF-1R.

microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is associated with various types of human cancer by regulating cancer cell survival, proliferation and invasion. Aberrant expression of microRNA-503 (miR-503) has been reported in several cancer profiles. However, potential linkage of miR-503 levels and the underlying regulatory mechanisms in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remain unclear.

Catalytic covalent organic frameworks via pore surface engineering.

We report a synthetic strategy for construction of the first example of organocatalytic covalent organic frameworks via pore surface engineering. The COF catalyst combines a number of striking features, including enhanced activity, broad applicability, good recyclability, and high capability, to perform catalytic transformation under continuous flow conditions.

Sesamin ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: involvement of Sirt1 and Mn-SOD pathway.

Oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin (DOX) is believed to be a major underlying molecular mechanism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Sesamin (Ses), an active component extracted from sesame seeds, exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, possible protective mechanisms of Ses on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were investigated in rats and cultured H9C2 cells.

Relationship between the expression of CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB in colorectal cancer tissues and aberrant methylation.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is considered an important drug in the treatment of colorectal cancer, but its continuous administration reduces its sensitivity and influences the curative effect. The metabolism of CPT-11 is mainly controlled by carboxy-lesterase (CES), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A), and β-glucuronidase (GUSB). Studies to date have shown that methylation acts as an important mechanism for gene expression to suppress the metabolic enzymes of many chemotherapeutics.

[Effect of hydrogen sulfide on the expression of CSE, NF-κB, and IL-8 mRNA in GES-1 cells with Helicobacter pylori infection].

Objective: To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the expression of CSE, NF-κB, and IL-8 mRNA in GES-1 cells with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and to explore its mechanism on gastric mucosa inflammation caused by H. pylori.

Pontibacter soli sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a Populus rhizosphere in Xinjiang, China.

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated strain HYL7-26(T), was isolated from a soil in the Desert Park of Huyang forest located in Xinjiang, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYL7-26(T) belongs to the genus Pontibacter in the family Cytophagaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain HYL7-26(T) and type strains of Pontibacter species ranged from 93.

Stepwise sedation for elderly patients with mild/moderate COPD during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Aim: To investigate stepwise sedation for elderly patients with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Methods: Eighty-six elderly patients with mild/moderate COPD and 82 elderly patients without COPD scheduled for upper GI endoscopy were randomly assigned to receive one of the following two sedation methods: stepwise sedation involving three-stage administration of propofol combined with midazolam [COPD with stepwise sedation (group Cs), and non-COPD with stepwise sedation (group Ns)] or continuous sedation involving continuous administration of propofol combined with midazolam [COPD with continuous sedation (group Cc), and non-COPD with continuous sedation (group Nc)]. Saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), blood pressure, and pulse rate were monitored, and patient discomfort, adverse events, drugs dosage, and recovery time were recorded.

A ferrimagnetic Zintl phase Pr4MnSb9: synthesis, structure, and physical properties.

A new valence precise Zintl phase, Pr4MnSb9, has been successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction at high temperature. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data reveal its monoclinic symmetry in the space group C2/m (No. 12) with a = 24.

The 786-0 renal cancer cell-derived exosomes promote angiogenesis by downregulating the expression of hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule.

The aims of the current study were to determine whether 786‑0 renal cancer cell‑derived exosomes promote human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to form tubular structures and to uncover the underlying mechanisms associated with this process. Exosomes were extracted and purified using ultrafiltration and sucrose gradient centrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Tubular structure formation was observed using the matrigel tubular assay.

Identification of risk factors for respiratory complications in upper cervical spinal injured patients with neurological impairment.

Objective: Clinical features of respiratory complications in patients with upper cervical spine injuries (CSI) are unique due to the complex regional anatomy in the region. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for respiratory complications in the patients with upper CSI and cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCI).

Methods: Ninety-two patients (out of 1593 spine injured patients) who met the inclusion criteria of upper CSI were admitted to our hospital from 1992 to 2010.