Analysis of how melatonin-upregulated clock genes PER2 and CRY2 alleviate rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Melatonin (Mel) serves as the central regulator for maintaining circadian rhythms and plays a crucial role not only in controlling the rhythmic clock, but also in several functional domains such as immunomodulation and anti-inflammation. In this study, we explored the clinical relevance of Mel and rheumatoid arthritis comorbid with interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), and its potential therapeutic effects on arthropathy and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The results demonstrated that low serum levels of Mel were correlated with disease activity and severity of PF in RA-ILD patients.

Triptolide regulates neutrophil function through the Hippo signaling pathway to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis disease progression.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory changes in the joints, the etiology of which is unclear. It is now well established that regulated cell death (RCD) and migration of neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.

Glutathione peroxidase 4 restrains temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting ferroptosis.

There are few effective therapeutic strategies for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) due to the unclear pathology and mechanisms. We aimed to confirm the roles of GPX4 and ferroptosis in TMJOA progression. ELISA assay was hired to evaluate concentrations of ferroptosis-related markers.

Endothelial cell protein C receptor regulates neutrophil extracellular trap-mediated rheumatoid arthritis disease progression.

Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) is a 46 kDa transmembrane protein receptor, expressed in most immune cells (T cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, polymorphonuclear neutrophils [PMN]). EPCR reportedly plays a vital role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our results confirmed that EPCR expression exists in the PMN of RA patients, and animal experiments demonstrated that down-regulation of EPCR expression affects disease progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.

Phenotype and molecular characterizations of a family with dentinogenesis imperfecta shields type II with a novel mutation.

Background: Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI), Shields type-II is an autosomal dominant genetic disease which severely affects the function of the patients' teeth. The dentin sialophosphoprotein () gene is considered to be the pathogenic gene of DGI-II. In this study, a DGI-II family with a novel DSPP mutation were collected, functional characteristics of DGI cells and clinical features were analyzed to better understand the genotype-phenotype relationship of this disease.

Elevated levels of soluble Endothelial protein C receptor in rheumatoid arthritis and block the therapeutic effect of protein C in collagen-induced arthritis.

Background: Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is a membranous protein that can be combined with a variety of ligands and plays important roles in anticoagulant and anti-inflammation. Recent reports have shown that surface EPCR expression on T cells is negatively associated with Th17 differentiation and is co-expressed with other immunosuppressive molecules, such as The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). Hence, we hypothesized that EPCR may play a critical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease progression that is mediated by Th17 differentiation.

MicroRNA-140-5p inhibits the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting p21-activated kinase 4.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a serious global health problem. Recently, accumulating microRNA (miRNA) has emerged as crucial players in the development and progression of carcinomas including OSCC. Our study aimed to further investigate the roles of miR-140-5p in OSCC tumorigenesis and related molecular basis.

Polymorphism of a chiral iron(ii) complex: spin-crossover and ferroelectric properties.

Two solvent-free polymorphs of a chiral iron(ii) complex have been obtained, and their polymorphism dependent spin-crossover and ferroelectric properties have been demonstrated. Polymorph I shows a gradual spin-crossover behavior, whereas polymorph II remains in a high-spin state but shows a typical ferroelectric feature.

Spin crossover properties of enantiomers, co-enantiomers, racemates, and co-racemates.

Through multi-component self-assembly of chiral phenylethylamine, 1-alkyl-2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde and iron(ii) ions, two couples of enantiomeric iron(ii) complexes , , and with the formula of fac-Λ or Δ-[Fe(L)3](2+)(L = R or S-1-phenyl-N-(1-alkyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethylene)ethanamine) have been designed and synthesized as building blocks. Further binary cocrystallization of the prefabricated enantiomers enabled us to construct spin crossover co-enantiomers and , racemates and , and co-racemate . Compared with in a high spin state and with spin crossover at 291 K, the co-enantiomers exhibited gradual spin crossover at a higher temperature of 301 K, and the racemic alloys showed hysteresis loops induced by desolvation above room temperature.

[Adipose-derived stem cells promote the polarization from M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages].

Objective: To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on M1/M2 macrophages and whether ADSCs are able to promote the polarization from M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages.

Methods: M1 macrophages were induced from J774.1 macrophages by 24-hour stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon γ (IFN-γ), and M2 macrophages were induced from J774.

Chiral tetrahedral iron(II) cages: diastereoselective subcomponent self-assembly, structure interconversion and spin-crossover properties.

A new class of chiral tetrahedral iron(II) cages were prepared from subcomponent self-assembly with high diastereoselectivity. The cages can be interconverted through imine exchange. The chiral cages displayed a spin transition close to room temperature, and the transition temperatures were affected by the substituent and uncoordinated solvents.

Enantioselective DNA condensation induced by heptameric lanthanum helical supramolecular enantiomers.

DNA condensation induced by a pair of heptameric La(III) helical enantiomers M-[La7(S-L)6(CO3)(NO3)6(OCH3)(CH3OH)7]·2CH3OH·5H2O and P-[La7(R-L)6(CO3)(NO3)6(OCH3)(CH3OH)5(H2O)2]·2CH3OH·4H2O (M-La and P-La, L=2-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-3-carbamoylpropanoic acid) has been investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, EMSA, RALS, DLS, and SEM. The enantiomers M-La and P-La could induce CT-DNA condensation at a low concentration as observed in UV/vis spectroscopy. DNA condensates possessed globular nanoparticles with nearly homogeneous sizes in solid state determined by SEM (ca.

Dinuclear nickel(II) triple-stranded supramolecular cylinders: syntheses, characterization and G-quadruplexes binding properties.

Three dinuclear nickel triple-stranded supramolecular cylinders [Ni2(L1)3][ClO4]4 (1), [Ni2(L2)3][ClO4]4 (2) and [Ni2(L3)3][ClO4]4 (3) with bis(pyridylimine) Schiff base containing triphenyl groups in the spacers as ligands were synthesized and characterized. The human telomeric G-quadruplexes binding properties of cylinders 1-3 were evaluated by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting assay. UV-Vis studies revealed that the supramolecular cylinders 1-3 could bind to G-quadruplex DNA with high binding constants (Kb values ranging from 0.

Effects of muscarinic acetylcholine 3 receptor(208-227) peptide immunization on autoimmune response in nonobese diabetic mice.

The second extracellular loop (LFWQYFVGKRTVPPGECFIQFLSEPTITFGTAI, aa 205-237) of muscarinic acetylcholine 3 receptor (M3R) has been reported to be an epitope for autoantibodies generated during certain autoimmune disorders, including Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Autoantibodies against M3R(228-237) have been shown to interfere with the function of M3R. However, few studies have been performed on the M3R(205-227) peptide of the second extracellular loop.

[Immunization with 2nd extracellular loop peptide of muscarinic acetylcholine 3 receptor induces the secretion of IL-17 and IFN-γ in NOD-scid mice].

Aim: To evaluate whether or not the changes in the secretions of IL-17 and IFN-γ can be induced by the immunization with 2nd extracellular loop peptide of muscarinic acetylcholine 3 receptor (M3R) in NOD-scid (nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency) mice.

Methods: We synthesized the 2nd extracellular loop peptide of M3R and immunized NOD-scid mice subcutaneously with the 1:1 mixture of the peptide and the incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). At day 1, 7, 14, 21 after immunization, tail blood samples were taken to determine the antibody titer and evaluate the secretions of IL-17 and IFN-γ in sera.

Hexa-kis-(μ₂-4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole)hexa-aqua-tricobalt(II) naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate tetra-chloride.

In the centrosymmetric trinuclear cation of the title compound, [Co₃(C₄H(8)N₄)₆(H₂O)₆](C₁₀H₆O₆S₂)Cl₄, the three Co(II) atoms are bridged by six triazole mol-ecules via the N atoms in the 1,2-positions. The central Co(II) atom, lying on an inversion center, is coordinated by six triazole N atoms while the terminal Co(II) atoms are coordinated by three triazole N atoms and three water O atoms in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The naphthalene-disulfonate anion is also centrosymmetric.

[Role of glucocorticoid receptor in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of GRα mRNA and GRβ mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, in order to reveal the role of GR mRNA in the pathogenesis of SLE and analyze the relationship between GR mRNA and SLEDAI score, dsDNA, cardiovascular involvement.

Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was applied to semiquantitatively analyze GRα mRNA and GRβ mRNA expressions in 104 SLE patients and 56 volunteers.

Results: The level of GRα mRNA was lower in the SLE group (the relative level was 1.

A new type of entangled coordination network: coexistence of polythreading and polyknotting involved molecular braids.

A fascinating polythreaded coordination network formed by 1D crankshaft shaped chains threading into a 2D undulated sheet in a one-over/one-under interweaving fashion was reported, in which the 2D layer exhibits an unusual polyknotted entanglement containing triple-stranded molecular braids.

A novel urea amperometric biosensor based on secretion of carnation petal cells modified on a graphite-epoxy composite electrode.

A new kind of biosensor for the detection of urea with a high selectivity, sensitivity and wide detection range was designed based on the secretion of carnation petals cells paste covered over a graphite-epoxy composite basic electrode surface. The carnation petal paste from mashed fresh carnation petals was tightly fixed on the basic electrode surface with Teflon thin film to keep it in contact with the electrode surface. Urea in aqueous solution was detected by differential pulse voltammetry based on the oxidation peak current at 0.

Rem GTPase interacts with the proximal CaV1.2 C-terminus and modulates calcium-dependent channel inactivation.

The Rem, Rem2, Rad, and Gem/Kir (RGK) GTPases, comprise a subfamily of small Ras-related GTP-binding proteins, and have been shown to potently inhibit high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current following overexpression. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying RGK-mediated Ca(2+) channel regulation remains controversial, recent studies suggest that RGK proteins inhibit Ca(2+) channel currents at the plasma membrane in part by interactions with accessory channel β subunits. In this paper, we extend our understanding of the molecular determinants required for RGK-mediated channel regulation by demonstrating a direct interaction between Rem and the proximal C-terminus of Ca(V)1.

Calmodulin binding is dispensable for Rem-mediated Ca2+ channel inhibition.

GTPases of the Ras-related RGK family are negative regulators of high voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channel activity. In this study, we examined the role of calmodulin (CaM) association in Rem-mediated Ca2+ channel inhibition. We found that the Rem/CaM interaction is Ca2+-dependent, and that truncation of the Rem C-terminus before position 277 prevents CaM binding.

The RGK family of GTP-binding proteins: regulators of voltage-dependent calcium channels and cytoskeleton remodeling.

RGK proteins constitute a novel subfamily of small Ras-related proteins that function as potent inhibitors of voltage-dependent (VDCC) Ca(2+) channels and regulators of actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Within the larger Ras superfamily, RGK proteins have distinct regulatory and structural characteristics, including nonconservative amino acid substitutions within regions known to participate in nucleotide binding and hydrolysis and a C-terminal extension that contains conserved regulatory sites which control both subcellular localization and function. RGK GTPases interact with the VDCC beta-subunit (Ca(V)beta) and inhibit Rho/Rho kinase signaling to regulate VDCC activity and the cytoskeleton respectively.