Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the redirection of metabolic flux from cell growth to astaxanthin biosynthesis in Yarrowia lipolytica.

Engineering Yarrowia lipolytica to produce astaxanthin provides a promising route. Here, Y. lipolytica M2 producing a titer of 181 mg/L astaxanthin was isolated by iterative atmospheric and room-temperature plasma mutagenesis and diphenylamine-mediated screening.

Short-term acute bright light exposure induces a prolonged anxiogenic effect in mice via a retinal ipRGC-CeA circuit.

Light modulates mood through various retina-brain pathways. We showed that mice treated with short-term acute bright light exposure displayed anxiety-related phenotypes in a prolonged manner even after the termination of the exposure. Such a postexposure anxiogenic effect depended upon melanopsin-based intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) activities rather than rod/cone photoreceptor inputs.

Identification and quantification of nine compounds in Fangwen Jiuwei decoction by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Fangwen Jiuwei Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of pneumonia developed by Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, which shows remarkable clinical responses. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main active compounds are crucial for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine prescription in clinical application. In this study, we identified nine active compounds essential for the pharmacological effects of Fangwen Jiuwei Decoction based on the analysis of the Network Pharmacology and relevant literature.

Integrated pathway engineering and transcriptome analysis for improved astaxanthin biosynthesis in .

Astaxanthin is a high value carotenoid with a broad range of commercial applications due to its superior antioxidant properties. In this study, β-carotene-producing XK17 constructed in the lab was employed for astaxanthin biosynthesis. The catalytic effects of β-carotene ketolase CrtW and β-carotene hydroxylase CrtZ from various species were investigated.

The role of ipRGCs in ocular growth and myopia development.

The increasing global prevalence of myopia calls for elaboration of the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, we show that selective ablation and activation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in developing mice induced myopic and hyperopic refractive shifts by modulating the corneal radius of curvature (CRC) and axial length (AL) in an opposite way. Melanopsin- and rod/cone-driven signals of ipRGCs were found to influence refractive development by affecting the AL and CRC, respectively.

Altered Retinal Dopamine Levels in a Melatonin-proficient Mouse Model of Form-deprivation Myopia.

Reduced levels of retinal dopamine, a key regulator of eye development, are associated with experimental myopia in various species, but are not seen in the myopic eyes of C57BL/6 mice, which are deficient in melatonin, a neurohormone having extensive interactions with dopamine. Here, we examined the relationship between form-deprivation myopia (FDM) and retinal dopamine levels in melatonin-proficient CBA/CaJ mice. We found that these mice exhibited a myopic refractive shift in form-deprived eyes, which was accompanied by altered retinal dopamine levels.

Development of TACE Refractoriness Scores in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

To identify the independent risk factors for transarterial embolization (TACE) refractoriness and to develop a novel TACE refractoriness score and nomogram for predicting TACE refractoriness in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Between March 2006 and March 2016, HCC patients who underwent TACE monotherapy as initial treatment at two hospitals formed the study cohort and validation cohort. The criteria of TACE refractoriness followed the Japan Society of Hepatology 2014 version of TACE refractoriness.

Cell-Subtype-Specific Remodeling of Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Recent evidence suggests that melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a neuronal class regulating nonimage forming (NIF) vision and generally thought to be injury resistant, are dysfunctional in certain neurodegenerative diseases. Although disrupted NIF visual functions have been reported in patients and animals with diabetes, it remains controversial whether ipRGCs exhibit remodeling during diabetes and if so, whether such remodeling is variable among ipRGC subtypes. Here, we demonstrate that survival, soma-dendritic profiles, and melanopsin-based functional activity of M1 ipRGCs were unaltered in streptozotocin-induced 3-month diabetic mice.

Orexin-A Intensifies Mouse Pupillary Light Response by Modulating Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells.

We show for the first time that the neuropeptide orexin modulates pupillary light response, a non-image-forming visual function, in mice of either sex. Intravitreal injection of the orexin receptor (OXR) antagonist TCS1102 and orexin-A reduced and enhanced pupillary constriction in response to light, respectively. Orexin-A activated OXRs on M2-type intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (M2 cells), and caused membrane depolarization of these cells by modulating inward rectifier potassium channels and nonselective cation channels, thus resulting in an increase in intrinsic excitability.

Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of head & neck small cell carcinoma: a SEER population-based study.

Background: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of head and neck small cell carcinoma (H&NSmCC) and identify prognostic factors on the basis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods: Total of 789 primary cases from 1973 to 2016 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic indicators.

Malignant tumours of temporomandibular joint.

Background: Malignant tumours of the temporomandibular joint (MTTMJ) are extremely rare. Studies describing its unique epidemiology, clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis comprehensively are limited. To address these issues, current investigation was performed.

An Emerging Role for Circular RNAs in Osteoarthritis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are currently classed as non-coding RNAs that, unlike the better known canonical linear RNAs, form a covalently closed continuous loop without 5' or 3' polarities. With the development of high throughput sequencing technology, a large number of circRNAs have been discovered in many species. More importantly, growing evidence suggests that circRNAs are abundant, evolutionally conserved, and relatively stable in cells and tissues.

[Research advances on DNA extraction methods from peripheral blood mononuclear cells].

DNA extraction is a basic technology of molecular biology. The purity and the integrality of DNA structure are necessary for different experiments of gene engineering. As commonly used materials in the clinical detection, the fast, efficient isolation and extraction of genomic DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells is very important for the inspection and analysis of clinical blood.

Highly efficient regioselective synthesis of 5'-O-lauroyl-5-azacytidine catalyzed by Candida antarctica Lipase B.

Enzymatic regioselective acylation of 5-azacytidine with vinyl laurate was successfully conducted with an immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica type B (i.e., Novozym 435) for the first time.