Gut-liver axis: Potential mechanisms of action of food-derived extracellular vesicles.

Food-derived extracellular vesicles (FEVs) are nanoscale membrane vesicles obtained from dietary materials such as breast milk, plants and probiotics. Distinct from other EVs, FEVs can survive the harsh degrading conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and reach the intestines. This unique feature allows FEVs to be promising prebiotics in health and oral nanomedicine for gut disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Dependency of NELF-E-SLUG-KAT2B epigenetic axis in breast cancer carcinogenesis.

Cancer cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming to drive tumor progression and metastasis. Using cancer cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids, we demonstrate that loss of the negative elongation factor (NELF) complex inhibits breast cancer development through downregulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness-associated genes. Quantitative multiplexed Rapid Immunoprecipitation Mass spectrometry of Endogenous proteins (qPLEX-RIME) further reveals a significant rewiring of NELF-E-associated chromatin partners as a function of EMT and a co-option of NELF-E with the key EMT transcription factor SLUG.

Generation of 2C-like mouse embryonic stem cells in vivo to evaluate developmental potency.

This protocol describes an optimized workflow for generating 2-cell (2C) stage-like mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) for microinjection into 8-cell stage mouse embryos to evaluate the developmental potency of these cells. We detail the following steps: 1) chemical suppression of glycolysis to induce a 2C-like state in mESCs, 2) flow cytometry to enrich for 2C-like cells, 3) embryo microinjection of 2C-like mESCs into 8-cell stage mouse embryos, and finally, 4) immunofluorescence staining of the chimeric blastocysts. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Hu et al.

Transposable Element Dynamics and Regulation during Zygotic Genome Activation in Mammalian Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cell Model Systems.

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences capable of duplicating and reintegrating at new regions within the genome. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that these elements play important roles in host genome evolution, despite being traditionally viewed as parasitic elements. To prevent ectopic activation of TE transposition and transcription, they are epigenetically silenced in most somatic tissues.

The strategy and efficacy of prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation for HBV-related diseases in the era of potent nucleos(t)ide analogues: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of liver transplant (LT) recipients under potent nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA)-based regimens and investigate different prophylactic schemes.

Methods: We followed PRISMA statement to conduct this study. Two reviewers independently searched relevant literature via PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science and Insightmeme.

Synthetically controlling dendrimer flexibility improves delivery of large plasmid DNA.

Tools for editing the genome and epigenome have revolutionised the field of molecular biology and represent a new frontier in targeted therapeutic intervention. Although efficiencies and specificities of genome editing technologies have improved with the development of TALEs and CRISPR platforms, intracellular delivery of these larger constructs still remains a challenge using existing delivery agents. Viral vectors, including lentiviruses and adeno-associated viruses, as well as some non-viral strategies, such as cationic polymers and liposomes, are limited by packaging capacity, poor delivery, toxicity, and immunogenicity.

A comprehensive long-term prognosis of chronic hepatitis C patients with antiviral therapy: a meta-analysis of studies from 2008 to 2014.

Context: Attaining a sustained virological response with antiviral therapy is a sign of clinical cure for chronic hepatitis C patients. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the long-term efficiency and outcome of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C who attained a sustained virological response.

Evidence Acquisition: A literature search was performed on published articles between January 2008 and February 2014.

Genome-wide association study of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma identifies 3q27 as a susceptibility locus in the Chinese population.

To identify genetic risk factors underlying non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) from the B cell lineage, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 253 Chinese individuals with B cell NHL (cases) and 1,438 controls and further validation in 1,175 cases and 5,492 controls. We identified a new susceptibility locus, rs6773854, located between BCL6 (encoding B cell lymphoma protein 6) and LPP (encoding lipoma preferred partner) on oncogene-rich chromosome 3q27 that was significantly associated with increased risk of B cell NHL (meta-analysis P = 3.36 × 10⁻¹³, per-allele odds ratio (OR) = 1.

[Determination of loganin in Pterocephalus hookeri by HPLC].

Objective: To develop an HPLC method for determination of loganin in Pterocephalus hookeri.

Method: The analysis was performed on a Welchrom C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-water (12:88) as the the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was 240 nm.

Genome-wide association study identifies FCGR2A as a susceptibility locus for Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, with clinical observations suggesting a substantial genetic contribution to disease susceptibility. We conducted a genome-wide association study and replication analysis in 2,173 individuals with Kawasaki disease and 9,383 controls from five independent sample collections. Two loci exceeded the formal threshold for genome-wide significance.

Divergent quasispecies evolution in de novo hepatitis C virus infection associated with bone marrow transplantation.

Quasispecies is a remarkable characteristic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has profound roles in HCV biology and clinical practice. The understanding of HCV quasispecies behavior, in particular in acute HCV infection, is valuable for vaccine development and therapeutic interference. However, acute HCV infection is seldom encountered in clinic practice due to its silent onset.

Dual-wavelength passively mode-locked Nd:LuYSiO5 laser with SESAM.

A diode-end-pumped dual-wavelength mode-locked laser based on Nd:LuYSiO5 crystal is demonstrated. With a SESAM, simultaneous mode locking at the 1075.8 nm and 1078.

Passive femtosecond mode-locking and cw laser performance of Yb3+: Sc2SiO5.

The authors report on the passive mode-locking and cw lasing performance of Yb3+: Sc(2)SiO(5) (Yb: SSO) in an x-fold cavity end-pumped by a 978 nm single emitter. The laser produced a maximum cw output power of 2.73 W with a slope efficiency of 70%.

Parvovirus B19 DNA in Factor VIII concentrates: effects of manufacturing procedures and B19 screening by nucleic acid testing.

Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19) is a common contaminant, especially in coagulation factors. Because of B19 transmission by pooled plasma, solvent/detergent treated in 1999, some fractionators initiated minipool nucleic acid testing (NAT) to limit the B19 load in manufacturing pools. In this study, the extent of B19 DNA contamination in commercial Factor VIII concentrates, that is, antihemophilic factor (human) (AHF), manufactured before and after B19 NAT screening was implemented, was determined.

Use of endoscopic snare to extract a large rectosigmoid foreign body with review of literature.

Rectal foreign bodies are common and various shapes and sizes have been described in literature. Large objects impacted high in the rectosigmoid junction pose a challenge for endoscopic extraction. We describe a method that successfully removed a 15x6x3.

Separation of near full-length hepatitis C virus quasispecies variants from a complex population.

A long RT-PCR (LRP) protocol was developed recently for robust amplification of a near full-length HCV genomic sequence from clinical samples, followed by efficient cloning [Fan, X., Xu, Y., Di Biceglie, A.

Is this a variant of Lemierre's syndrome?

Lemierre's syndrome is an oropharyngeal infection leading to secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV). It is classically anaerobic in origin and Fusobacterium necrophorum is the commonest pathogen. We report an unusual variant of this condition in a 68-year-man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who presented with extensive cellulitis of the left neck.

Marginal leakage of amalgam restorations pretreated with various liners.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the microleakage of amalgam restorations lined with four different liners.

Materials And Methods: Cylindrical occlusal cavities were prepared in extracted human molars and the teeth were then divided into four groups and lined with one of four liners: Amalcoden, AM (glass-metal ionomer), FujiDuet, FD (glass ionomer), Amalgambond, AB (adhesive resin), or copal varnish, CV. Each cavity was then restored with a high-copper amalgam alloy and aged for 7 days in 37 degrees C distilled water.

Margin designs and fracture resistance of incisal resin composite restorations.

This study measured the resistance to fracture of Class IV resin composite restorations prepared with either butt joints, bevels, or chamfer margins. Seventy extracted intact, non-carious maxillary central incisors, of approximately the same size, were collected and randomly divided into the following seven groups: 90 degrees butt joint (control)), 1 and 2 mm 45 degrees bevels, 1 and 2 mm 60 degrees bevels, and 1 and 2 mm chamfer margins. The teeth were restored with a hybrid resin composite and tested in an Instron Universal testing machine in a compressive mode at 45 degrees to the long axis.

Microleakage at gingival margins of Class V composite resin restorations rebonded with various low-viscosity resin systems.

The failure of a composite resin restoration to seal at its interface with unetched tooth structures, resulting from polymerization shrinkage, creates an unwanted marginal microleakage. Rebonding with a low-viscosity resin system has been recommended to reseal the marginal gap and to reduce microleakage. Since no particular resin system is commercially available, any low-viscosity resin has been utilized for this purpose.