Expression of LOXs and MMP-1, 2, 3 by ACL Fibroblasts and Synoviocytes Impact of Coculture and TNF-α.

This study aims to confirm the effects of synoviocytes (SCs) on regulating lysyl oxidases (LOXs) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, 2, 3 in the normal and injured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fibroblasts response to tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The gene and protein expression levels of LOXs and MMP-1, 2, 3 in SCs cocultured ACL fibroblasts (ACLfs) induced by TNF-α and mechanical injury were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western bolting; the MMP-2 activity were analyzed by zymography. The results exhibited that TNF-α alone slightly downregulated the expressions of LOXs and upregulated the expression of MMP-1, 2, 3 in both normal and injured ACL fibroblasts.

Interactions of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid with serum albumins by native mass spectrometry, fluorescence and molecular docking.

The binding information of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) with bovine and human serum albumins was investigated and characterized in details by using a combination method of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking (MD). The ESI-MS analysis revealed that maximally eight PFOA or PFOS molecules could bind to serum albumins at high mole ratios of PFOA/PFOS. Association constants were measured by ESI-MS and suggested that PFOS had a better binding affinity than PFOA.

Study on the Structural Effect of Maltoligosaccharides on Cytochrome c Complexes Stabilities by Native Mass Spectrometry.

Noncovalent interactions between ligands and targeting proteins are essential for understanding molecular mechanisms of proteins. In this work, we investigated the interaction of Cytochrome c (Cyt c) with maltoligosaccharides, namely maltose (Mal II), maltotriose (Mal III), maltotetraose (Mal IV), maltopentaose (Mal V), maltohexaose (Mal VI) and maltoheptaose (Mal VII). Using electrospray ionization mass spetrometry (ESI-MS) assay, the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes formed by Cyt c with maltoligosaccharide ligand were observed.

Ethanolic Extract of the Golden Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus citrinopileatus (Agaricomycetes), Alleviates Metabolic Syndrome in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus is an edible medicinal mushroom rich in biomolecules and thus has a high potential for use in formulating pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. To test its effect on body weight and glucose control, we generated diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6J male mice by feeding the mice a high-fat diet (60% fat) for 8 weeks and treating them with an ethanolic P. citrinopileatus extract (PCE) at either 200 or 500 mg/kg body weight for 12 additional weeks.

Spatial separation of electrons and holes for enhancing the gas-sensing property of a semiconductor: ZnO/ZnSnO nanorod arrays prepared by a hetero-epitaxial growth.

The construction of semiconductor composites is known as a powerful method used to realize the spatial separation of electrons and the holes in them, which can result in more electrons or holes and increase the dispersion of oxygen ions ([Formula: see text] and O ) (one of the most critical factors for their gas-sensing properties) on the surface of the semiconductor gas sensor. In this work, using 1D ZnO/ZnSnO nanoarrays as an example, which are prepared through a hetero-epitaxial growing process to construct a chemically bonded interface, the above strategy to attain a better semiconductor gas-sensing property has been realized. Compared with single ZnSnO nanotubes and no-matching ZnO/ZnSnO nanoarrays gas sensors, it has been proven by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrum examination that the as-obtained ZnO/ZnSnO sensor showed a greatly increased quantity of active surface electrons with exceptional responses to trace target gases and much lower optimum working temperatures (less than about 170 °C).

2-Deoxy-D-glucose, not mercaptoacetate, induces a reversible reduction of body temperature in male desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii).

The initiation of torpor is supposed to be related to the availability of metabolic fuels. Studies on metabolic fuel inhibition of glucose by using 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) or fatty acid by mercaptoacetate (MA) in heterothermic mammals produced mixed outcomes. To examine the roles of availability of glucose and fatty acid in the initiation of torpor in desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii), we intraperitoneally administrated 2DG and MA to summer-acclimated male hamsters while body temperature (T), metabolic rate (MR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were simultaneously recorded to monitor their thermoregulatory response.

The effect of aggression I: The increases of metabolic cost and mobilization of fat reserves in male striped hamsters.

Aggression can benefit individuals by enhancing their dominance and thereby their ability to acquire and retain resources that increase survival or fitness. Engaging in aggressive behavior costs energy and how animals manage their energy budget to accommodate aggression remains unclear. We conducted three experiments to examine changes in physiological, behavioral and hormonal markers indicative of energy budget in male striped hamsters subject to resident-intruder aggression tests.

A Self-Repairing Cathode Material for Lithium-Selenium Batteries: Se-C Chemically Bonded Selenium-Graphene Composite.

Lithium-selenium batteries, employing selenium as a cathode material, exhibit some notable advantages, such as high discharge rates and good cycling performance, due to their high electrical conductivity, high output voltages, and high volumetric capacity density. However, an important problem, termed the "shuttle effect", can lead to capacity decay in Li-Se cells (and in Li-S cells), which arises from aggregation and the loss of Se or S from the cathode into the electrolyte. In this work, in order to solve this problem, a new self-repairing system has been devised, in which some Se atoms are chemically bonded to the carbon atoms of graphene and act as reclaiming points for dissociated Se atoms through the establishment of -Se-Se-Se- chains.

Cell Invasion In Vivo via Rapid Exocytosis of a Transient Lysosome-Derived Membrane Domain.

Invasive cells use small invadopodia to breach basement membrane (BM), a dense matrix that encases tissues. Following the breach, a large protrusion forms to clear a path for tissue entry by poorly understood mechanisms. Using RNAi screening for defects in Caenorhabditis elegans anchor cell (AC) invasion, we found that UNC-6(netrin)/UNC-40(DCC) signaling at the BM breach site directs exocytosis of lysosomes using the exocyst and SNARE SNAP-29 to form a large protrusion that invades vulval tissue.

Upregulation of miR-542-3p inhibits the growth and invasion of human colon cancer cells through PI3K/AKT/survivin signaling.

The present study was designed to assess the expression of microRNA-542-3p (miR-542-3p) in human colon cancer and investigate the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of miR-542-3p on the growth and invasion of colon cancer cells. We found that miR-542-3p expression was downregulated in colon cancer patient tissues, compared with that observed in the control group. Silencing of miR‑542-3p expression significantly promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis.

Correction to: Biochars mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements and arsenic speciation in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. One affiliation and one author were missing. The corrected affiliations and authors are given here.

Involvement of mitochondrial pathway in environmental metal pollutant lead-induced apoptosis of chicken liver: perspectives from oxidative stress and energy metabolism.

This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms of environmental metal pollutant lead (Pb)-induced apoptosis in chicken. Forty 8-day-old healthy chickens were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 20/group) after raising standard commercial diet and drinking water for 1 week: including control group and Pb group ((CHCOO)Pb 350 mg/L of drinking water); the chickens were given euthanasia and collected livers at 90 days. A significant increase of apoptosis rate were found in Pb group and Pb induced obvious ultrastructural changes of chicken liver.

Up-regulation of long non-coding RNA promotes tumor cell migration and invasion in lung adenocarcinoma.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important role in a variety of biological processes, and are tightly associated with tumorigenesis and cancer prognosis. However, the potential power of lncRNA signatures in predicting survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been investigated. Here, we identified a four-lncRNA signature (, , and ) displaying prognostic values for LUAD using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset.

How to Make a Fast, Efficient Bubble-Driven Micromotor: A Mechanical View.

Micromotors, which can be moved at a micron scale, have special functions and can perform microscopic tasks. They have a wide range of applications in various fields with the advantages of small size and high efficiency. Both high speed and efficiency for micromotors are required in various conditions.

Numerical analysis of wall shear stress in ascending aorta before tearing in type A aortic dissection.

Although the incidence of many cardiovascular diseases has declined as medical treatments have improved, the prevalence of aortic dissection (AD) has increased. Compared to type B dissections, type A dissections are more severe, and most patients with type A dissections require surgical treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between the wall shear stress (WSS) on the aortic endothelium and the frequent tearing positions using computational fluid dynamics.

Freestanding and flexible graphene papers as bioelectrochemical cathode for selective and efficient CO conversion.

During microbial electrosynthesis (MES) driven CO reduction, cathode plays a vital role by donating electrons to microbe. Here, we exploited the advantage of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) paper as novel cathode material to enhance electron transfer between the cathode and microbe, which in turn facilitated CO reduction. The acetate production rate of Sporomusa ovata-driven MES reactors was 168.

Dietary factors and polymorphisms in vitamin D metabolism genes: the risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer in northeast China.

CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 are critical genes determining 1α,25(OH)D concentration and impacting on carcinogenesis. A case-control study including 528 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 605 cancer-free controls and a follow-up study with 317 cases were conducted in northeast China. Genotypes were tested by TaqMan Genotyping Assays.

Drastic difference between hole and electron injection through the gradient shell of CdSeZnS quantum dots.

Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the hole injection in CdSeZnS gradient core-shell quantum dot (CSQD) sensitized p-type NiO photocathodes. A series of CSQDs with a wide range of shell thicknesses was studied. Complementary photoelectrochemical cell measurements were carried out to confirm that the hole injection from the active core through the gradient shell to NiO takes place.

Assessment of the occurrence, spatiotemporal variations and geoaccumulation of fifty-two inorganic elements in sewage sludge: A sludge management revisit.

The limited information about the sludge quality has made its management a top environmental challenge. In the present study, occurrence and the spatiotemporal variations of 52 inorganic elements were investigated in the sludge samples from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Xiamen city, China. The results showed, the occurrence of 49 elements with the concentrations in the range of >125-53500 mg kg dry sludge (DS) for commonly used industrial metals, 1.

The roles of metabolic thermogenesis in body fat regulation in striped hamsters fed high-fat diet at different temperatures.

The metabolic thermogenesis plays important roles in thermoregulation, and it may be also involved in body fat regulation. The thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is largely affected by ambient temperature, but it is unclear if the roles in body fat regulation are dependent on the temperature. In the present study, uncoupling protein 1 (ucp1)-based BAT thermogenesis, energy budget and body fat content were examined in the striped hamsters fed high fat diet (HF) at cold (5°C) and warm (30°C) temperatures.

Biochars mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements and arsenic speciation in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Anthropogenic and natural activities can lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and discharge of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into soil environment. Biochar amendment to soils is a cost-effective technology and sustainable approach used to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, improve phytoremediation, and minimize the health risks associated with consumption of PTE-contaminated vegetables. Greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of peanut shell biochar (PNB) and sewage sludge biochar (SSB) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, plant growth, PTE bioaccumulation, and arsenic (As) speciation in bean plants.

Identification of regulators of germ stem cell enwrapment by its niche in C. elegans.

Many stem cell niches contain support cells that increase contact with stem cells by enwrapping them in cellular processes. One example is the germ stem cell niche in C. elegans, which is composed of a single niche cell termed the distal tip cell (DTC) that extends cellular processes, constructing an elaborate plexus that enwraps germ stem cells.

A Viscosity-Based Model for Bubble-Propelled Catalytic Micromotors.

Micromotors have shown significant potential for diverse future applications. However, a poor understanding of the propelling mechanism hampers its further applications. In this study, an accurate mechanical model of the micromotor has been proposed by considering the geometric asymmetry and fluid viscosity based on hydrodynamic principles.