Circ_0068481 Affects the Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells' Progression by miR-361-3p/KLF5 Axis.

Background: Uncontrolled proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this work, we defined the precise part of circ_0068481 in PASMC proliferation and migration induced by hypoxia. We hypothesized that circ_0068481 enhanced hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation, invasion, and migration through the microRNA (miR)-361-3p/Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) pathway.

Effects of intermittent fasting on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Objectives: Evidence showed that intermittent fasting may have beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome. However, the results are controversial and indefinite. This study intends to investigate and assess the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Analytical validation and performance characteristics of a 48-gene next-generation sequencing panel for detecting potentially actionable genomic alterations in myeloid neoplasms.

Identification of genomic mutations by molecular testing plays an important role in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of myeloid neoplasms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an efficient method for simultaneous detection of clinically significant genomic mutations with high sensitivity. Various NGS based in-house developed and commercial myeloid neoplasm panels have been integrated into routine clinical practice.

Separation, identification, and molecular docking of tyrosinase inhibitory peptides from the hydrolysates of defatted walnut (Juglans regia L.) meal.

Defatted walnut meal protein was hydrolyzed using alcalase to yield tyrosinase inhibitory peptides. After separation by ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-25, the fraction with the highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity was identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 606 peptides were obtained. Then, molecular docking was used to screen for tyrosinase inhibitory peptides and to clarify the theoretical interaction mechanism between the peptides and tyrosinase.

Protective effect of fermented Diospyros lotus L. extracts against the high glucose-induced apoptosis of MIN6 cells.

Date plum persimmon (Diospyros lotus L.) is a fruit crop from the Ebenaceae family. Its microorganism-fermented extract (DPEML) was shown to exhibit a hypoglycemic effect in our previous work.

Effect of WeChat consultation group on residents staying at home in Sichuan and Chongqing regions during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: After the outbreak of Coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei, in 2019, the disease rapidly spread to other parts of China as well as outside of China. Since the pandemic outbreak, the general public has been responsive to the national call to stay at home in quarantine. However, since doubts and anxiety related to the disease have been detected in the general public, in this study, we established the WeChat platform "Coronavirus Disease 2019 Voluntary Assistance Group in Sichuan and Chongqing regions" in January 2020, which was committed to providing professional consultation and psychological counseling services for residents in Sichuan and Chongqing during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak.

Pooling of Upper Respiratory Specimens Using a SARS-CoV-2 Real-time RT-PCR Assay Authorized for Emergency Use in Low-Prevalence Populations for High-Throughput Testing.

Background: Nucleic acid amplification testing is a critical tool for addressing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Specimen pooling can increase throughput and conserve testing resources but requires validation to ensure that reduced sensitivity does not increase the false-negative rate. We evaluated the performance of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use for pooled testing of upper respiratory specimens.

Expression patterns of intermediate filament proteins desmin and lamin A in the developing conduction system of early human embryonic hearts.

Since embryonic heart development is a complex process and acquisition of human embryonic specimens is challenging, the mechanism by which the embryonic conduction system develops remains unclear. Herein, we attempt to gain insights into this developmental process through immunohistochemical staining and 3D reconstructions. Expression analysis of T-box transcription factor 3, cytoskeleton desmin, and nucleoskeleton lamin A protein in human embryos in Carnegie stages 11-20 showed that desmin is preferentially expressed in the myocardium of the central conduction system compared with the peripheral conduction system, and is co-expressed with T-box transcription factor 3 in the central conduction system.

Isl-1 positive pharyngeal mesenchyme subpopulation and its role in the separation and remodeling of the aortic sac in embryonic mouse heart.

Background: Second heart field cells and neural crest cells have been reported to participate in the morphogenesis of the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs); however, how the PAAs grow out and are separated from the aortic sac into left and right sections is unknown.

Results: An Isl-1 positive pharyngeal mesenchyme protrusion in the aortic sac ventrally extends and fuses with the aortic sac wall to form a midsagittal septum that divides the aortic sac. The aortic sac division separates the left and right PAAs to form independent arteries.

Septation of the Intrapericardial Arterial Trunks in the Early Human Embryonic Heart.

Background: Outflow tract (OFT) septation defects are a common cause of congenital heart disease. Numerous studies have focused on the septation mechanism of the OFT, but have reported inconsistent conclusions. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the septation of the aortic sac and the OFT in the early embryonic human heart.

Identification of circulating microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer:A pooled analysis of individual studies.

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed as promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for many cancers. However, the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs in ovarian cancer is inconsistent in different studies. Thus we performed this meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs in ovarian cancer.

Blood Pressure Associated with Arsenic Methylation and Arsenic Metabolism Caused by Chronic Exposure to Arsenic in Tube Well Water.

Objective: The effects of arsenic exposure from drinking water, arsenic metabolism, and arsenic methylation on blood pressure (BP) were observed in this study.

Methods: The BP and arsenic species of 560 participants were determined. Logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the odds ratios of BP associated with arsenic metabolites and arsenic methylation capability.

Y chromosome polymorphisms may contribute to an increased risk of male-induced unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

The present study aims to explore the relationship between the Y chromosome polymorphisms (1qh+, inv(9), 9qh+, 16qh+, group D/G, Yqh- and Yqh+) and the risk of unexplained recurrent miscarriage (URM). A total of 507 couples with URM were recruited as case group and 465 healthy couples as control group. The Y chromosome polymorphisms of the male individuals were analysed with the G-banding technique, and the results of the chromosome G-banding analysis were determined using the International Naming Standards of Human Genetics (ISCN).

[Study of IR Property of Glow Discharge Polymer (GDP)].

To achieve the object of NIF ignition , it is required to prepare high density fuel targets . For DD layer, IR-layering can be used to improve its surface roughness. In this paper, glow discharge polymer (GDP) flat films and capsules were synthesized.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect in patients with aortic valve prolapse and mild aortic regurgitation: feasibility and preliminary outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in patients with aortic valve prolapse (AVP) and mild aortic regurgitation (AR).

Methods: Between January 2008 and July 2014, transcatheter closure of VSD was attempted in 65 patients.

Results: The total intermediate closure successful rate in all subjects was 96.

Second heart field and the development of the outflow tract in human embryonic heart.

The second heart field (SHF) is indicated to contribute to the embryonic heart development. However, less knowledge is available about SHF development of human embryo due to the difficulty of collecting embryos. In this study, serial sections of human embryos from Carnegie stage 10 (CS10) to CS16 were stained with antibodies against Islet-1 (Isl-1), Nkx2.

Gossypol exhibits a strong influence towards UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1, 1A9 and 2B7-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous substances.

Gossypol, the polyphenolic constituent isolated from cottonseeds, has been used as a male antifertility drug for a long time, and has been demonstrated to exhibit excellent anti-tumor activity towards multiple cancer types. The toxic effects of gossypol limit its clinical utilization, and enzyme inhibition is an important facet of this. In the present study, in vitro human liver microsomal incubation system supplemented with UDPGA was used to investigate the inhibition of gossypol towards UGT1A1, 1A9 and 2B7-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous substances.

[Remediation Pb, Cd contaminated soil in lead-zinc mining areas by hydroxyapatite and potassium chloride composites].

The composite agents containing potassium chloride (KCl) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) were used to remediate the lead and cadmium contaminated soil in Fenghuang lead-zinc mining-smelting areas, Hunan province. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the influence of Cl- to the fixing efficiency of Pb and Cd by HA. Two types of contaminated soil (HF-1, HF-2) were chosen and forty treatments were set by five different Hydroxyapatite (HA) dosages and four different Cl- dosages.

Bioaccessibility and risk assessment of cadmium from uncooked rice using an in vitro digestion model.

Cadmium (Cd)-contaminated rice is one of the most important sources of cadmium exposure in the general population from some Asian countries. This study was conducted to assess cadmium exposure from uncooked rice in rural mining areas based on the bioaccessible fraction of cadmium using an in vitro digestion model. The biotoxic effects of cadmium in uncooked rice from mining areas were much higher than those in the control area, based not only on their higher total concentration (52.

[Relationship between longevity and soil environment in Xiayi County, Henan Province, China].

Based on field investigation and laboratory analysis, exploration was done of distribution of macro and micro elements in the soils and distribution of longevity population in Xiayi County, Henan Province, China, and relationship between the spatial variation of the distribution of soil elements and the distribution of the longevity population. It was found that longevity population was distributed in a belt running across Xiayi county from northeast to southwest. In the northeast part, the longevity rate (over 95 years old) reached 187 per million and while in the northwest part, it was only 83.

Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Goals: We investigated whether measurement of serum levels of the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-16, miR-195, and miR-199a, alone or in combination with conventional serum markers, can help to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

Background: Recent reports suggest a link between aberrant expression of miRNA, and HCC.

Study: This retrospective analysis was conducted using sera from 105 HCC patients, 107 CLD patients, and 71 normal control subjects.

[Determination of five trace elements (Pb, Cd, Se, As and Hg) in human whole blood by temperature-controllable wet digestion and ICP-MS technique].

A method for the determination of five trace elements, including Pb, Cd, Se, As and Hg concentrations in human whole blood by HNO3-H2O2 digestion under temperature-controllable condition and ICP-MS was described. Under the optimum experimental conditions and instrumental operation parameters, the limit of detection for the five elements were 2-40 ng x L(-1). The system had a good stability with RSDs of the determination of value repeated 3 times less than 3%.