A simple and effective method to enrich endogenous DNA from mammalian faeces.

Utilization of faeces has long been a popular approach for genetic and ecological studies of wildlife. However, the success of molecular marker genotyping and genome resequencing is often unpredictable due to insufficient enrichment of endogenous DNA in the total faecal DNA that is dominated by bacterial DNA. Here, we report a simple and cheap method named PEERS to predominantly lyse animal cells over bacteria by using sodium dodecyl sulphate so as to discharge endogenous DNA into liquid phase before bacterial DNA.

Fungal corneal ulcer after repair of an overhanging filtering bleb: A case report.

Background: Overhanging filtering bleb is a common complication after trabeculectomy and surgical repair is an effective treatment when the patient presents with apparent symptoms. Filtering bleb relevant infection including in the filtering bleb itself and even endophthalmitis in some severe cases has been reported. However, corneal fungal infection after filtering bleb repair is rarely reported.

Mechanism of miRNA-141-3p in Calcium Oxalate-Induced Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury via NLRP3-Mediated Pyroptosis.

Background/aims: Renal calculi represent a prevalent disorder associated with mineral deposition in renal calyces and the pelvis. Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is implicated in renal injury. This study investigated the mechanism of miR-141-3p in calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal-induced renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) injury.

Phosphatidylserine eversion regulated by phospholipid scramblase activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling in the early stage of kidney stone formation.

The mechanism underlying phosphatidylserine eversion in renal tubule cells following calcium oxalate-mediated damage remains unclear; therefore, we investigated the effects of TGF-β1/Smad signaling on phosphatidylserine eversion in the renal tubule cell membrane during the early stage of kidney stone development. In a rat model of early stage of calcium oxalate stone formation, phosphatidylserine eversion on the renal tubular cell membrane was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1), Smad7, and phospholipid scramblase in the renal tubular cell membrane was measured by western blotting. We observed that the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway increased phosphatidylserine eversion at the organism level.

EP4 activation ameliorates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury via ERK1/2‑GSK3β‑dependent MPTP inhibition.

Prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4) is widely distributed in the heart, but its role in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), particularly in mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) modulation, is yet to be elucidated. In the present study, an EP4 agonist (CAY10598) was used in a rat model to evaluate the effects of EP4 activation on liver I/R and the mechanisms underlying this. I/R insult upregulated hepatic EP4 expression during early reperfusion.

Induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cells by pristimerin.

Pristimerin, a triterpenoid isolated from Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, is known to induce cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines. However, whether pristimerin can induce apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism remain unexplored. We assessed the function of human cholangiocarcinoma QBC and RBE cell lines using various experimental methods such as the cell viability assay to elucidate the viability of cells, flow cytometry to detect the death rate of cells, and Western blot analysis to evaluate the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins.

Suprapatellar versus infrapatellar intramedullary nailing for treatment of tibial shaft fractures in adults.

Background: Numerous studies have compared suprapatellar (SP) nailing to infrapatellar (IP) nailing for treatment of tibial shaft fractures; however, the best strategy remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess whether SP or IP nailing is more effective for tibial shaft fractures in adults.

Methods: Literature searches of PubMed, Embase, OVID, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang, Weipu Journal, and CNKI databases were performed up to July 2017.

Tunable optical forces enhanced by plasmonic modes hybridization in optical trapping of gold nanorods with plasmonic nanocavity.

The optomechanical interaction between a plasmonic nanocavity and a gold nanorod through optical forces is demonstrated. It is revealed that strong localized plasmon resonance mode hybridization induced by a gold nanorod results in the resonance mode of the nanocavity splitting into two different plasmon resonance modes (bonding plasmon resonance mode and antibonding plasmon resonance mode). When the whole system (gold nanorod and gold nanocavity) is excited at the antibonding plasmon mode, the gold nanorod can receive an optical pushing force and be pushed away from the gold nanocavity.

Propofol reduces hypoxia‑induced autophagic cell death through downregulating HIF 1α in alveolar epithelial type II cells of rats.

Propofol (2,6‑diisopropylphenol) exerts protective effects on alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells, partly through attenuating hypoxia‑induced apoptosis. Autophagy is involved in the activation of apoptosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the modulating effect of propofol against autophagy in ATII cells under hypoxia.

Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells in esophageal cancer.

Aim: To perform a meta-analysis of the related studies to assess whether circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used as a prognostic marker of esophageal cancer.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and references in relevant studies were searched to assess the prognostic relevance of CTCs in patients with esophageal cancer. The primary outcome assessed was overall survival (OS).

PAK4 Phosphorylates p53 at Serine 215 to Promote Liver Cancer Metastasis.

PAK4 kinase contributes to signaling pathways controlling cancer cell transformation, invasion, and survival, but its clinicopathological impact has begun to emerge only recently. Here we report that PAK4 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) conveys aggressive metastatic properties. A novel nuclear splice isoform of PAK4 lacking exon 2 sequences was isolated as part of our studies.

Advantages of Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma Compared with Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treating Rabbit Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND Concentrated leukocytes in leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) may deliver increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, to counter the beneficial effects of growth factors on osteoarthritic cartilage. However, to date no relevant studies have substantiated that in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS Autologous L-PRP and pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) were prepared, measured for componential composition, and injected intra-articularly after 4, 5, and 6 weeks post-anterior cruciate ligament transection.

Association between Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and myocardial infarction risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Published data regarding the association between Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genetic variation and myocardial infarction (MI) risk were not always consistent. Therefore, the current meta-analysis was conducted to derive a more precise estimation of the association between ApoE polymorphism and MI risk. PubMed and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies.

TGF-β1-509C/T polymorphism and the risk of ESCC in a Chinese Han population.

Background: The studies investigating whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-509C/T polymorphism is associated with the risk of ESCC is inconsistent.

Methods: The TGF-β1-509C/T genotypes were determined by using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and DNA sequencing analysis. The differences in demographic variables and genotype distributions of TGF-β1-509C/T polymorphism between ESCC patients and controls were calculated by Pearson's Chi square test.

Fabricating Hexagonal Al-Doped LiCoO2 Nanomeshes Based on Crystal-Mismatch Strategy for Ultrafast Lithium Storage.

In the designed synthesis, low crystal-mismatch strategy has been applied in the synthesis of ion-doped LiCoO2 materials, and a good success of single crystal property has been achieved between the precursor and the final sample for the first time. The hexagonal LiCo0.8Al0.

Nobiletin inhibited hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells by inactivating of Notch-1 signaling and switching on miR-200b.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an early step in the process of tumor metastasis. It is well known that tumor microenvironment affects malignancy in various carcinomas; in particular, that hypoxia induces EMT. Deregulated notch signaling also contributes a lot to the development of EMT in lung cancer.

Photodynamic therapy mediated by 5-aminolevulinic acid suppresses gliomas growth by decreasing the microvessels.

Although 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to be a novel and effective therapeutic modality for some human malignancies, its effect and mechanism on glioma are still controversial. Previous studies have reported that 5-ALA-PDT induced necrosis of C6 rat glioma cells in vitro. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect and mechanism of 5-ALA-PDT on C6 gliomas implanted in rats in vivo.

Correlation of the structure and applications of dealloyed nanoporous metals in catalysis and energy conversion/storage.

Nanoporous metals produced by dealloying have shown great promise in many areas such as catalysis/electrocatalysis, energy conversion/storage, sensing/biosensing, actuation, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Particularly, nanoscale metal ligaments with high electronic conductivity, tunable size and rich surface chemistry make nanoporous metals very promising as catalysts/electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications such as fuel cells and also as versatile three-dimensional substrates for energy-storage in supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries. In this review, we focus on the recent developments of dealloyed nanoporous metals in both catalysis/electrocatalysis and energy storage.

Prognostic significance of lymph node status in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with lymphadenectomy.

Background And Objectives: To test prognostic significance of lymph node status in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

Methods: Four hundred ninety six patients diagnosed with synchronous mCRC and treated with lymphadenectomy between 1995 and 2008 were identified and divided into groups pN0, pN1, and pN2 (140 (28.2%) in pN0, 223 (45.

Effects of sevoflurane and propofol on right ventricular function and pulmonary circulation in patients undergone esophagectomy.

Object: Sevoflurane and propofol are both widely used in clinical anesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on right ventricular function and pulmonary circulation in patients receiving esophagectomy.

Methods: Forty adult patients undergoing an elective open-chest thoracotomy for esophagectomy were randomized to receive either propofol (n=20) or sevoflurane (n=20) as the main anesthetic agent.

Influence of preoperative diastolic dysfunction on hemodynamics and outcomes of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation.

Objective: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is receiving more attention in patients with end-stage liver diseases. The importance of diastolic dysfunction observed before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and its adverse effects on hemodynamics and outcomes of OLT patients, have not been fully explored. We carried a retrospective study to investigate the influence of diastolic dysfunction on OLT patients.

An LC/MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of two homoisoflavones: protosappanin B and brazilin with hypoglycemic activity in rat plasma and its application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and streptozotocin-treated rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae), a widely used Chinese medicine in folk, has been used for the treatment of traumatic injury, stasis pain, amenorrhea, dysmenorrheal, as well as stabbing pain in the chest, abdomen and so on. Protosappanin B and brazilin, as the major bioactive homoisoflavones of Sappan Lignum, are used as the marker components for the quality control of the herb in China Pharmacopoeia.

Chemical profiles and identification of key compound caffeine in marine-derived traditional Chinese medicine Ostreae concha.

To compare the chemical differences between the medicinal and cultured oyster shells, their chemical profiles were investigated. Using the ultra performance liquid chromatography-electron spraying ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS), combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), the discrimination of the chemical characteristics among the medicinal and cultured oyster shells was established. Moreover, the chemometric analysis revealed some potential key compounds.