[Retracted] Role of the AKT pathway in microRNA expression of human U251 glioblastoma cells.

Following the publication of the above article, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that, regarding the western blots featured in Fig. 3B on p. 670, the bands featured in the U251 and U251‑MC lanes for the miR‑21 and U6 experiments appeared to be duplicates of each other.

Addition of Chelators Increased the Stability of Black Rice Anthocyanins against the Metallic Ions in Tap Water and Improved the Coloration of Steamed Cold Noodles.

The anthocyanins in black rice extract (BRA) are sensitive to metallic ions, which restrict its application in the coloration of steamed cold noodles in China that uses tap water as the solvent. Food-grade chelators were added to check if they could increase the stability of BRA. The results indicated that the color decay of BRA in tap water was mainly caused by Fe, Cu, and Fe, and the addition of chelators could effectively antagonize this effect.

Mechanism of synergistic DNA damage induced by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and Cu(II): Competitive binding between CAPE and DNA with Cu(II)/Cu(I).

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active polyphenol of propolis from honeybee hives, and exhibits antioxidant and interesting pharmacological activities. However, in this study, we found that in the presence of Cu(II), CAPE exhibited pro-oxidative rather than antioxidant effect: synergistic DNA damage was induced by the combination of CAPE and Cu(II) together as measured by strand breakage in plasmid DNA and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) formation, which is dependent on the molar ratio of CAPE:Cu(II). Production of Cu(I) and HO from the redox reaction between CAPE and Cu(II), and subsequent OH formation was found to be responsible for the synergistic DNA damage.

Location and dynamic changes of inflammation, fibrosis, and expression levels of related genes in SiO-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats .

Silicosis is a serious occupational disease characterized by pulmonary fibrosis, and its mechanism and progression have not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, silicosis models of rat were established by a one-time dusting method, and the rats were sacrificed after 30, 60, and 120 days (herein referred to as the 30, 60, and 120 days groups, respectively). The rats without dust exposure were used as the control.

Effects of abnormal expression of fusion and fission genes on the morphology and function of lung macrophage mitochondria in SiO-induced silicosis fibrosis in rats in vivo.

Silicosis is a serious occupational disease affecting millions of related workers. Many studies showed lung macrophages play an important role in the disease. However, the changes of macrophages are not fully characterized and the mechanisms need further investigations.

Paraburkholderia caffeinitolerans sp. nov., a caffeine degrading species isolated from a tea plantation soil sample.

A Gram-stain negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-sporulating, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated CF3, was isolated from a tea plantation soil sample and its taxonomic position was determined using polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CF3 displayed optimum growth at 25 °C, pH 5.0 and in the presence of 0-1 % NaCl.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genotypes and haplotypes with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis infection.

Background: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells and organized in highly polymorphic families. Genetic diversity is an important characteristic of KIR genes. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of KIR genotypes and halotypes on the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

Systematic review on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Asian populations.

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the value of EBV DNA in diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in Asian populations, and provide important evidence for screening.

Methods: Prospective or respective case-control or cohort studies regarding the detection role of EBV DNA for NPC were included in our study. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM database between January 1980 and March 2012.

MicroRNA-21 expression is regulated by β-catenin/STAT3 pathway and promotes glioma cell invasion by direct targeting RECK.

Aims: MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) expression is increased in many types of human malignancy, including glioma. Recent studies report that miR-21 regulates cell invasion by targeting RECK, however, the underlying transcriptional regulation of miR-21 in glioma cells remains elusive.

Results: Here, we identify a positive correlation between miR-21 expression and pathological grade in glioma tissues.

[A preliminary study on the relationship between HLA-Cw polymorphism and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between HLA-Cw polymorphism and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and therefore to explore the susceptible or resistant genes of PTB.

Methods: A hundred and twelve patients who were confirmed to have secondary PTB in Shandong Chest Hospital from May 2010 to May 2011 were selected as the PTB group, including 62 males and 50 females aged 19 - 69 years (mean 41.7).

MiR-221 and miR-222 target PUMA to induce cell survival in glioblastoma.

Background: MiR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222) are frequently up-regulated in various types of human malignancy including glioblastoma. Recent studies have reported that miR-221/222 regulate cell growth and cell cycle progression by targeting p27 and p57. However the underlying mechanism involved in cell survival modulation of miR-221/222 remains elusive.

MicroRNA-221 and microRNA-222 regulate gastric carcinoma cell proliferation and radioresistance by targeting PTEN.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes via regulation of cell proliferation and/or apoptosis. MiR-221 and miR-222 were discovered to induce cell growth and cell cycle progression via direct targeting of p27 and p57 in various human malignancies. However, the roles of miR-221 and miR-222 have not been reported in human gastric cancer.

Role of the AKT pathway in microRNA expression of human U251 glioblastoma cells.

Activation of the AKT (serine-threonine kinase) pathway is a common feature in glioblastoma cells. Downstream factors of the AKT pathway are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cellular migration and angiogenesis. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved small non-coding RNAs that block targeted mRNA expression at the post-transcriptional level.

[Inhibitory effect of knocking down microRNA-221 and microRNA-222 on glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo].

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of knocking down microRNA(miR)-221 and miR-222 on human glioma cell growth and its possible mechanism.

Methods: miRNA-221/222 antisense oligonucleotides (antisense miR221/222) were transfected into human glioma U251 cells by lipofectamine. Northern blot analysis was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of miR-221/222 in the control and transfected cell groups.

[The relationship between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To explore the possible relationship between the -2518 A/G single nucleotide polymorphisms in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene of Chinese Han population and the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted from March 2008 to August 2008. The - 2518 MCP-1 A/G polymorphisms were detected in 167 pairs of subjects by reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP) technique.

[Experimental study on combined effect of low temperature and vibration on peripheral circulation function and peripheral nerve function].

Objective: To study the combined effect of low temperature and vibration on function of peripheral circulation and nerve.

Methods: 64 rabbits were divided into control group, low temperature group, vibration group and combined effect group randomly, 16 each group. The changes of concentration of ET, Ang II, NO in plasma and SCV, amplitude of sensory nerve action potential, latency of sensory nerve action potential, MCV, distal amplitude of motor nerve, and distal latency of motor nerve were measured before and after experiment.

[Effects of low temperature on functions of learning, memory and activities of ATPase in brain tissue of mice].

Objective: To explore the effects of low temperature on the functions of learning and memory and activities of ATPase in brain tissue of mice.

Methods: 120 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups of A, B, and C with different cold exposure time. After low temperature test, learning and memory ability and activities of ATPase in brain tissue of the mice were measured.

[Effect of captopril on the nervous function in rabbits exposed to vibration].

Objective: To study the effect of captopril on the nervous function in rabbits exposed to vibration.

Methods: Rabbits were divided into vibration group, intervention group, and control group. Vibration group and intervention group were exposed to (tested by) vibration.