Identifying the Genetic Association Between Sjogren's Syndrome and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Although observational studies have suggested a correlation between Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), a conclusive evidence supporting a causal relationship is still lacking. This study aims to explore the potential causal relationship between SS and AITD.

Methods: Using genome-wide association studies, we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Identifying the genetic association between common rheumatic diseases and vitiligo.

Background: Although observational studies have suggested a correlation between vitiligo and rheumatic diseases, conclusive evidence supporting a causal relationship is still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential causal relationship between vitiligo and rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Using genome-wide association studies, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Multiwavelength Excitation in Ho-Doped All-Inorganic Double Perovskites Achieved by Codoping Mn for Warm-White LEDs and Plant Growth.

Doping lanthanide ions is an efficient method to modify the optical properties of lead-free double-perovskite halides. However, most lanthanide-doped double perovskites show a low luminescence efficiency and require a high excitation energy. Here, we have successfully prepared a series of Ho-doped CsNaBiCl microcrystals through a simple hydrothermal method and obtained strong characteristic emissions of Ho at 492 and 657 nm under low-energy excitation (449 nm).

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Hot-Pressed Silica Matrix Composites.

Silica is one of the most widely used ceramics due to its excellent chemical stability and dielectric property. However, its destructive brittle nature inhabits it from wider application as a functional ceramic. An improvement in toughness is a challenging topic for silica ceramic, as well as other ceramics.

Influence of Additives on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alumina Ceramics.

Alumina is one of the most commonly used and researched structural ceramic because of its excellent properties. However, its intrinsic brittleness is the fatal drawback, which hinders it from wider applications. How to improve its fracture toughness as well as the bending strength is always challenging for material researchers.

Polymorphisms in MAPK9 (rs4147385) and CSF1R (rs17725712) are associated with the development of inhibitors in patients with haemophilia A in North China.

Introduction: The formation of neutralizing antibodies (FVIII inhibitors) in haemophilia A patients is an immune response to the deficient factor. This process is multifactorial and includes environmental and genetic factors. Some genetic markers that play a decisive role in the immune response have been identified as risk factors for inhibitor development.

LncRNA SNHG5/miR-26a/SOX2 signal axis enhances proliferation of chondrocyte in osteoarthritis.

Chondrocyte is involved in the destruction of joints in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The aim of this study was to explore the expression level of small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) and evaluate its function in chondrocyte. In our current study, the expression levels of SNHG5, miR-26a, and SOX2 in 17 pairs of articular cartilage tissues and in the non-OA group were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

A phase II study of arsenic trioxide in patients with relapsed or refractory malignant lymphoma.

Limited data have been reported regarding the use of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory malignant lymphoma; therefore, the present phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of ATO in such patients. A total of 35 patients were treated with ATO (0.25 mg/kg) infused for 1 h daily, 5 days a week, for a 6-week cycle.

Molecular cloning of amphioxus uncoupling protein and assessment of its uncoupling activity using a yeast heterologous expression system.

The present study describes the molecular cloning of a novel cDNA fragment from amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) encoding a 343-amino acid protein that is highly homologous to human uncoupling proteins (UCP), this protein is therefore named amphioxus UCP. This amphioxus UCP shares more homology with and is phylogenetically more related to mammalian UCP2 as compared with UCP1. To further assess the functional similarity of amphioxus UCP to mammalian UCP1 and -2, the amphioxus UCP, rat UCP1, and human UCP2 were separately expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the recombinant yeast mitochondria were isolated and assayed for the state 4 respiration rate and proton leak, using pYES2 empty vector as the control.

Molecular cloning of lamprey uncoupling protein and assessment of its uncoupling activity using a yeast heterologous expression system.

We report the molecular cloning of a novel cDNA fragment from lamprey encoding a 313-amino acid protein that is highly homologous to human uncoupling proteins (UCP). We therefore named the protein lamprey UCP. This lamprey UCP, rat UCP1, human UCP2, and human mitochondrial oxoglutarate carrier were individually expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the recombinant yeast mitochondria were isolated and assayed for the state 4 respiration rate and proton leak.

17beta-estradiol inhibits oleic acid-induced rat VSMC proliferation and migration by restoring PGC-1alpha expression.

Estrogen shows a vasoprotective role through inhibiting the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The mechanism underlying the effect of estrogen, however, is not completely understood. Here, we explored the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) in estrogen-mediated vasoprotection.

Identification and characterization of novel amphioxus microRNAs by Solexa sequencing.

Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. While the number of known human and murine miRNAs is continuously increasing, information regarding miRNAs from other species such as amphioxus remains limited.

Results: We combined Solexa sequencing with computational techniques to identify novel miRNAs in the amphioxus species B.

PGC-1alpha is a key regulator of glucose-induced proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a complex pathological condition caused by a number of mechanisms including the accelerated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Diabetes is likely to be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, as hyperglycemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration and may thus contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. This study was performed to investigate whether PGC-1alpha, a PPARgamma coactivator and metabolic master regulator, plays a role in regulating VSMC proliferation and migration induced by high glucose.

PGC-1alpha induces apoptosis in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells through a PPARgamma-dependent pathway.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1alpha) coactivates multiple transcription factors and regulates several metabolic processes. The current study investigated the role of PGC-1alpha in the induction of apoptosis in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells. The PGC-1alpha mRNA level between human ovaries and human ovarian epithelial tumors was examined by quantitative RT-PCR.

Identification of antigens by monoclonal antibody PD4 and its expression in Escherichia coli.

Aim: To clone and express the antigen of monoclonal antibody (MAb) PD4 for further investigation of its function.

Methods: MGC803 cDNA expression library was constructed and screened with PD4 as probes to clone the antigen. After failed in the library screening, immunoprecipitation and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were applied to purify the antigen for sequence analysis.