Development of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic reference materials using next-generation sequencing.

Objective: Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) has been used for over 20 years to detect many serious genetic conditions. However, there is still a lack of reference materials (RMs) to validate the test performance during the development and quality control of PGT-M.

Method: Sixteen thalassemia cell lines from four thalassemia families were selected to establish the RMs.

The Clinical Features and Management of Empyema Caused by .

Background: , a commensal, plays an important role in purulent infections. It has been reported as aggressive pathogen causing pleural empyema. But the role of in empyema has not been taken seriously.

Development and characterization of reference materials for EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, and MET genetic testing.

Background: Along with the dramatic development of molecular diagnostic testing for the detection of oncogene variations, reference materials (RMs) have become increasingly important in performance evaluation of genetic testing.

Objective: In this study, we built a set of RMs for genetic testing based on next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Method: Solid tumor tissues were selected as the samples of RMs for preparation.

An Adaptive Information Security System for 5G-Enabled Smart Grid Based on Artificial Neural Network and Case-Based Learning Algorithms.

With the deployment of 5G Internet of Things (IoT) in the power system, the efficiency of smart grid is improved by increasing two-way interactions in different layers in smart grid. However, it introduces more attack interfaces that the traditional information security system in smart grid cannot response in time. The neuroscience-inspired models have shown their effectiveness in solving security and optimization problems in smart grid.

[Determination of 19 illegally added chemical ingredients in hair loss prevention cosmetics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry].

Cosmetic products for hair loss prevention are often mixed with prohibited substances such as hormones, antibiotics, and forbidden pharmacologically active substances. Although drugs increase the efficacy of cosmetic products, they cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, upon long-term exposure. Given the increasing number of hair loss prevention cosmetics on the market, the need to guarantee product safety calls for efficient and reliable methods to identify illegal ingredients in these products.

Study of the Lithium Storage Mechanism of N-Doped Carbon-Modified Cu S Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Owing to their high specific capacity and abundant reserve, Cu S compounds are promising electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Carbon compositing could stabilize the Cu S structure and repress capacity fading during the electrochemical cycling, but the corresponding Li storage mechanism and stabilization effect should be further clarified. In this study, nanoscale Cu S was synthesized by CuS co-precipitation and thermal reduction with polyelectrolytes.

Research on knowledge dissemination in smart cities environment based on intelligent analysis algorithms: a case study on online platform.

In developing smart cities, the implementation of social connections, collaboration, innovation, exchange of views by observing, exploiting and integrating various types of knowledge is required. The smart cities concept that employs knowledge sharing mechanism can be defined as the concept of a city that utilizes information technology to increase citizens' awareness, intelligence as well as community's participation. The knowledge dissemination via online sharing platforms has been becoming more popular in recent years, especially during the epidemic of infectious diseases.

An integrated Asian human SNV and indel benchmark established using multiple sequencing methods.

Sequencing technologies have been rapidly developed recently, leading to the breakthrough of sequencing-based clinical diagnosis, but accurate and complete genome variation benchmark would be required for further assessment of precision medicine applications. Despite the human cell line of NA12878 has been successfully developed to be a variation benchmark, population-specific variation benchmark is still lacking. Here, we established an Asian human variation benchmark by constructing and sequencing a stabilized cell line of a Chinese Han volunteer.

Development of a genomic DNA reference material panel for thalassemia genetic testing.

Introduction: Thalassemia is one of the most common autosomal recessive inherited diseases worldwide, and it is also highly prevalent and variable in southern China. Various types of genetic testing technologies have been developed for diagnosis and screening of thalassemia. Characterized genomic DNA reference materials (RMs) are necessary for assay development, validation, proficiency testing, and quality assurance.

Echinocystic acid ameliorates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular endothelial cell injury through regulating NF-κB and CYP1A1.

The present study investigated the role of echinocystic acid (EA) on the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and aortic morphology, in a rat model of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy). A total of 50 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: Normal control (NC), model control (MC), vitamin control (VC; folic acid 1 mg/kg + vitamin B2 2 mg/kg + vitamin B12 10u g/kg), EA1 (20 mg/kg EA) and EA2 (40 mg/kg EA). Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels were determined via high performance liquid chromatography, and the morphology of the aorta was investigated using hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Response a chronic effects of PBDE-47: Up-regulations of HSP60 and HSP70 expression in freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in adaption of environmental stress by protein folding, membrane translocation, degradation of misfolded proteins and other regulatory processes. Our previous study showed oxidative stress generated from polybrominated diphenyl ether-47 (PBDE-47) could cause an acute toxicity on freshwater bivalve Anodonta Woodiana, but the effect of chronic toxicity need to be elucidated. In order to further investigate the chronic effect of PBDE-47, clams A.

Molecular cloning, characterization, and the response of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase to PBDE-47 and -209 from the freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers-47 (PBDE-47) and -209 are significant components of total PBDEs in water and can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the organisms. Anti-oxidant enzymes play an important role in scavenging the high level of ROS. In the current study, two full-length cDNAs of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSODs) and catalase (CAT) were isolated from freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana by rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach and respectively named as AwSOD and AwCAT.

Hsa-miR-326 targets CCND1 and inhibits non-small cell lung cancer development.

Hsa-miRNA-326 (miR-326) has recently been discovered having anticancer efficacy in different organs. However, the role of miR-326 on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-326 on the development of NSCLC.

Long-term exposure to diesel engine exhaust affects cytokine expression among occupational population.

Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is a predominant contributor to urban air pollution. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified DEE as a group I carcinogen. Inflammatory response is considered to be associated with various health outcomes including carcinogenesis.

Long-term exposure to diesel engine exhaust induces primary DNA damage: a population-based study.

Objectives: Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and is carcinogenic to humans. To seek early and sensitive biomarkers for prediction of adverse health effects, we analysed the components of DEE particles, and examined the genetic and oxidative damages in DEE-exposed workers.

Methods: 101 male diesel engine testing workers who were constantly exposed to DEE and 106 matched controls were enrolled in the present study.

Baseline blood levels of manganese, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in residents of Beijing suburb.

Baseline blood concentrations of metals are important references for monitoring metal exposure in environmental and occupational settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the blood levels of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) among the residents (aged 12-60 years old) living in the suburb southwest of Beijing in China and to compare the outcomes with reported values in various developed countries. Blood samples were collected from 648 subjects from March 2009 to February 2010.

Increased micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridge, and nuclear bud frequencies in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of diesel engine exhaust-exposed workers.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently reclassified diesel engine exhaust (DEE) as a Group 1 carcinogen. Micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), and nuclear bud (NBUD) frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) are associated with cancer risk. However, the impact of DEE exposure on MN frequency has not been thoroughly elucidated due to mixed exposure and its impact on NPB and NBUD frequencies has never been explored in humans.

miR-33a levels in hepatic and serum after chronic HBV-induced fibrosis.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which can lead to hepatic disease, has become a critical national healthcare problem, and many people die each year as a result of HBV infection and its complications. Although microRNA-33a (miR-33a) is a novel modulator of lipid and cholesterol metabolism, the role of miR-33a in the hepatic fibrogenesis is still unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of miR-33a in liver fibrosis.

[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons monohydroxy metabolites level in urine of general population in eight provinces of China].

Objective: To assess the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons monohydroxy metabolites in urine of general population in China among 8 provinces, provide the baseline of the metabolites in the general population.

Methods: From 2009 to 2010, 18 120 subjects of general population aged 6-60 years old were recruited from 24 areas among 8 provinces in east, west and central areas of China mainland by cluster random sampling. The information of the living environment and health condition were collected by questionnaire and spot urine samples were collected, 4 680 urine samples were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and monohydroxy metabolites distribution in urine among groups of gender and ages were analysed.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of different extracts of guizhencao (herba bidentis bipinnatae) against liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the different extracts Guizhencao (Herba Bidentis Bipinnatae) against liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats.

Methods: The rats were divided into 7 groups, with 10 rats in each. Rats were treated with high-fat diet for 18 weeks besides the normal control group, then rats in both normal control and model groups were received 5 mL/kg(-1) x day(-1) of saline and those in the positive control group with 2 mg/kg(-1) x day(-1) of lovastatin.

Genetic damage induced by organic extract of coke oven emissions on human bronchial epithelial cells.

Coke oven emissions are known as human carcinogen, which is a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanism of action of coke oven emissions induced carcinogenesis and to identify biomarkers of early biological effects in a human bronchial epithelial cell line with CYP1A1 activity (HBE-CYP1A1). Particulate matter was collected in the oven area on glass filter, extracted and analyzed by GC/MS.

Modulation of DNA repair capacity by ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene polymorphisms among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-exposed workers.

The purpose of this study was to address the association between the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to DNA repair capacity (DRC) among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-exposed workers. Polymorphisms of ATM were genotyped. DRC was determined by comet assay.

[Hypermethylation of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in human bronchial epithelial cell induced by organic extracts of coke oven emissions].

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by coke oven emissions by investigating the cell genetic damage index and the methylation of O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT).

Methods: The human bronchial epithelial cell 16HBE was treated by 1 µmol/L B(a)P for 48 h, and then was exposed continuously to either 1‰ dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or organic extracts of coke oven emission (OE-COE) for five days at the concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.

[Using HPLC-MS/MS method to analyze monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs in urine].

Objective: To establish a HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 4 monohydroxy metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urine, including 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 3-phenanthrol and 1-pyrenol).

Methods: After being treated by enzymatic hydrolysis, urine samples were purified by liquid-liquid extraction, evaporated under nitrogen to constant volume and examined by HPLC-MS/MS. Target compounds were quantified by internal standard calibration curve.