Spatial and temporal trends and drivers of fractional vegetation cover in Heilongjiang Province, China during 1990-2020.

Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) is a quantitative indicator for vegetation growth conditions and ecosystem change. Clarifying the spatial and temporal trends and driving factors of FVC is an important research content of global and regional ecological environment. Based on Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform, we estimated FVC in Heilongjiang Province from 1990 to 2020 using the pixel dichotomous model.

The effect of nano-TiO photocatalysis on the antioxidant activities of Cu, Zn-SOD at physiological pH.

Security issues of nanoparticles on biological toxicity and potential environmental risk have attracted more and more attention with the rapid development and wide applications of nanotechnology. In this work, we explored the effect and probable mechanism of nano-TiO on antioxidant activity of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) under natural light and mixed light at physiological pH. Nano-TiO was prepared by sol-hydrothermal method, and then characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron micrographs (TEM).

Sox2 is involved in paclitaxel resistance of the prostate cancer cell line PC-3 via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer‑associated mortality in males. The efficacy of prostate cancer chemotherapy is frequently impaired by drug resistance; however, the underlying mechanisms of this resistance remain elusive. Sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) is of vital importance in the regulation of stem cell proliferation and carcinogenesis.

Hypoxia increases CX3CR1 expression via HIF-1 and NF‑κB in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

The unique CX3C chemokine CX3CL1 and its cognate receptor CX3CR1 have been implicated in organ-specific metastasis of various types of tumors. Hypoxia, a common phenomenon in solid tumors, is associated with a malignant cancer phenotype. Previous studies have proved that hypoxia facilitates cancer cell metastasis through upregulation of specific chemokine receptors.

[Inhibitory effect of siRNA targeting ADAM17 on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells].

Objective: To study the effect of siRNA targeting ADAM17 (ADAM17-siRNA) on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

Methods: After transfecting PC-3 cells with ADAM17-siRNA 1 and ADAM17-siRNA 2, we detected the expressions of ADAM17 mRNA and protein by RT- PCR and Western blotting, respectively. We measured the changes in the proliferation and DNA synthesis of PC-3 cells by MTT and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, examined the cell cycle profile by flow cytometry, and determined the expressions of the genes associated with PC-3 cell proliferation by Western blotting.

ADAM17 targets MMP-2 and MMP-9 via EGFR-MEK-ERK pathway activation to promote prostate cancer cell invasion.

ADAM17, also known as tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE), is involved in proteolytic ectodomain shedding of cell surface molecules and cytokines. Although aberrant expression of ADAM17 has been shown in various malignancies, the function of ADAM17 in prostate cancer has not been clarified. In the present study, we sought to elucidate whether ADAM17 contributes to prostate cancer cell invasion, as well as the mechanism involved in the process.

Expression and location of Smad2, 4 mRNAs during and after liver fibrogenesis of rats.

Aim: To investigate the location alteration of Smad2 and Smad4 mRNAs in the liver during and after fibrogenesis in rats.

Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200 g each were used. The rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), normal rats and rats were injected with olive oil and served as control groups.