A highly sensitive quartz crystal microbalance sensor modified with antifouling microgels for saliva glucose monitoring.

Saliva glucose detection based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology has become an important research direction of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. However, the performance of this label-free glucose sensor is heavily deteriorated by the large amount of protein contaminants in saliva. Here, we successfully achieved the direct detection of saliva glucose by endowing the microgels on the QCM chip with superior protein-resistive and glucose-sensitive properties.

Mode-controllable waveguide fabricated by laser-induced phase transition in KTN.

We report the fabrication of a hexagonal cladding waveguide by femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW) in a potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) crystal with a large electric-optical effect. Confocal micro-Raman results show the laser-induced phase transition occurs in the filament areas during the waveguide fabrication. The small filaments can strongly confine the polar nanoregions especially in its ferroelectric state to enhance the waveguide birefringence, enabling excellent polarization maintaining features for both TE and TM-polarized light propagations.

Genetic variants of and in the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway are associated with non-small cell lung cancer survival.

The nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is one of the most characterized inflammasomes, and its genetic variation and functional dysregulation are involved in pathogenesis of several cancers. To systematically evaluate the role of NLRP3 in predicting outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we performed a two-phase analysis for associations between genetic variants in NLRP3 inflammasome pathway genes and NSCLC survival by using a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with Bayesian false discovery probability (≤0.

Novel genetic variants of and related lymphangiogenesis signaling pathway predict non-small cell lung cancer survival.

Although lymphangiogenesis is a vital step in lung cancer metastasis, the association between lymphangiogenesis and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survival remains unclear. Since single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to predict NSCLC survival, we investigated associations between SNPs in lymphangiogenesis-related pathway genes and NSCLC survival in a discovery genotyping dataset of 1,185 patients from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial and validated the findings in another genotyping dataset of 984 patients from the Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility Study. We evaluated associations between 34,509 genetic variants (3252 genotyped and 31,257 imputed) in 247 genes involved in lymphangiogenesis-related pathway and NSCLC survival.

LINC01094 Down-Regulates miR-330-3p and Enhances the Expression of MSI1 to Promote the Progression of Glioma.

Background: This study aims at probing into the expression, function, and mechanism of LINC01094 and miR-330-3p in glioma.

Materials And Methods: qRT-PCR was employed to examine LINC01094 and miR-330-3p expressions in gliomas. After gain-of-function and loss-of-function models were constructed, CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to detect the proliferation, migration and invasion of LN229 and U251 cells, respectively.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Promotes SLA-DR-Mediated Antigen Presentation of Nonstructural Proteins To Evoke a Nonneutralizing Antibody Response .

The humoral immune response against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection is characterized by a rapid induction of nonneutralizing antibodies (non-NAbs) against nonstructural proteins (NSPs). Here, we systematically investigated the potential mechanism for the induction of PRRSV NSP-specific non-NAbs. Our data suggested that PRRSV NSP-specific antibodies appeared within 10 days after PRRSV infection In the model, functional upregulation of swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-DR was observed in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), whereas remarkable inhibition at the mRNA level was observed after infection by both PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 isolates.

Evaluation of relationship between DNA methyltransferase 3 β gene and the risk of hip osteoarthritis: A case-control study based on a Han Chinese population.

Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease. Early studies have indicated that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of OA. However, the etiology of OA remains unknown.

Variants in , and in vitamin D pathway genes are associated with breast cancer risk: a large-scale analysis of 14 GWASs in the DRIVE study.

Vitamin D has a potential anticarcinogenic role, possibly through regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, stimulation of apoptosis, immune modulation and regulation of estrogen receptor levels. Because breast cancer (BC) risk varies among individuals exposed to similar risk factors, we hypothesize that genetic variants in the vitamin D pathway genes are associated with BC risk. To test this hypothesis, we performed a larger meta-analysis using 14 published GWAS datasets in the Discovery, Biology, and Risk of Inherited Variants in Breast Cancer (DRIVE) Study.

Associations of novel variants in , and of the ATM pathway genes with pancreatic cancer risk.

The ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM) pathway plays important roles in pancreatic cancer (PanC) development and progression, but the roles of genetic variants of the genes in this pathway in the etiology of PanC are unknown. In the present study, we assessed associations between 31,499 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 198 ATM pathway-related genes and PanC risk using genotyping data from two previously published PanC genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of 15,423 subjects of European ancestry. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified three novel independent SNPs to be significantly associated with PanC risk [ rs76692125 G>A: odds ratio (OR)=1.

Serum Exosomal miR-941 as a promising Oncogenic Biomarker for Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

At present, no blood-based biomarkers have been used in clinical practice for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Increasing evidence suggests that circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for various cancers. This study aims to identify and evaluate serum exosomal miRNAs for LSCC diagnosis.

Novel genetic variants in genes of the Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway predict non-small cell lung cancer survival.

Background: Both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis activate innate immunity, and the Fc gamma receptor (FCGR)-mediated phagocytosis is an integral part of the process. We assessed associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FCGR-related genes and survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We evaluated associations between 24,734 (SNPs) in 97 FCGR-related genes and survival of 1,185 patients with NSCLC using a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial and validated the results in another independent dataset of 894 NSCLC patients.

Genetic variants in TKT and DERA in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate pathway predict melanoma survival.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most lethal type of skin cancers. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) plays an important role in anabolic reactions and tumorigenesis, but many genes are involved in the NADPH system.

Methods: We used 10,912 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (2018 genotyped and 8894 imputed) in 134 NADPH-related genes from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 858 patients from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in a single-locus analysis to predict CM survival.

Novel genetic variants of and involved in immunoregulatory interactions are associated with non-small cell lung cancer survival.

Immunoregulatory interactions play a pivotal role in immune surveillance, recognition, and killing, particularly its internal pathway, likely playing an important role in immune escape. By using two genotyping datasets, one from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer screening trial (n = 1,185) as the discovery, and the other from Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility (HLCS) study (n = 984) as the validation, we evaluated associations between 4,713 genetic variants (338 genotyped and 4,375 imputed) in 60 genes involved in immunoregulatory interactions and survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found that 115 SNPs were significantly associated with NSCLC overall survival in the discovery, of which four remained significant after validation by the HLCS dataset after multiple test correction by Bayesian false discovery probability.

Ultrasensitive Poly(boric acid) Hydrogel-Coated Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor by Using UV Pressing-Assisted Polymerization for Saliva Glucose Monitoring.

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has attracted extensive attention in the field of biological analysis and detection because of its high sensitivity, fast response, real-time measurement, good operability, and low-cost production. However, to detect the trace amounts of small molecules, such as low-concentration saliva glucose under physiological conditions, is still a major challenge. Herein, the surface of a QCM chip was coated with a poly(boric acid)-based hydrogel using UV pressing-assisted polymerization to obtain a simple device for glucose detection.

Effect of transcranial direct-current stimulation on cognitive function in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive approach that can alter brain excitability. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of tDCS in improving language and movement function in stroke patients. However, the effect of tDCS on cognitive function after stroke remains uncertain.

The functions of long non-coding RNAs in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

The capacities for neural stem cells (NSCs) self-renewal with differentiation are need to be precisely regulated for ensuring brain development and homeostasis. Recently, increasing number of studies have highlighted that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with NSC fate determination during brain development stages. LncRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs more than 200 nucleotides without protein-coding potential and function as novel critical regulators in multiple biological processes.

Novel Variants of and in the Interferon Gamma Signaling Pathway Are Associated with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival.

Background: IFNγ is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays critical immunomodulatory roles in intercellular communication in innate and adaptive immune responses. Despite recognition of IFNγ signaling effects on host defense against viral infection and its utility in immunotherapy and tumor progression, the roles of genetic variants of the IFNγ signaling pathway genes in survival of patients with cancer remain unknown.

Methods: We used a discovery genotyping dataset from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial ( = 1,185) and a replication genotyping dataset from the Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility Study ( = 984) to evaluate associations between 14,553 genetic variants in 150 IFNγ pathway genes and survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Circular RNA circCORO1C promotes laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma progression by modulating the let-7c-5p/PBX3 axis.

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck. LSCC patients have seriously impaired vocal, respiratory, and swallowing functions with poor prognosis. Circular RNA (circRNA) has attracted great attention in cancer research.

Use of a paraprobiotic and postbiotic feed supplement (HWF™) improves the growth performance, composition and function of gut microbiota in hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii x Acipenser schrenckii).

The contribution of cold water aquaculture for the world fish production is significant. Although sturgeon farming is an important part of China's cold water aquaculture industry, its production is less compared with the current potentiality of the country. There are many reasons for the lower production of cold water fish farming including feed and disease.

ENT1 inhibition attenuates apoptosis by activation of cAMP/pCREB/Bcl2 pathway after MCAO in rats.

Background And Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the potential role and the mechanism of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) on neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to two hours of MCAO followed by reperfusion. The time course of the expression level of ENT1 and phosphorylation of CREB were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence staining.

InGaN Nanorods Decorated with Au Nanoparticles for Enhanced Water Splitting Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance Effects.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has great application potential in converting solar energy into hydrogen energy. However, what stands in the way of the practical application of this technology is the low conversion efficiency, which can be promoted by optimizing the material structure and device design for surface functionalization. In this work, we deposited gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with different loading densities on the surface of InGaN nanorod (NR) arrays through a chemical solvent route to obtain a composite PEC water splitting system.

Genetic variants of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway genes and risk of pancreatic cancer.

Because the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway is involved in development and progression of pancreatic cancer, we investigated associations between genetic variants of the PPAR pathway genes and pancreatic cancer risk by using three published genome-wide association study datasets including 8477 cases and 6946 controls of European ancestry. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was also performed for correlations between genotypes of the identified genetic variants and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of their genes by using available databases of the 1000 Genomes, TCGA, and GTEx projects. In the single-locus logistic regression analysis, we identified 1141 out of 17 532 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 112 PPAR pathway genes.

The relationships between thyroid-stimulating hormone and/or dopamine levels in peripheral blood and IQ in children with different urinary iodine concentrations.

Environmental iodine deficiency or excess can lead to inappropriate iodine nutrition in the population. Little research has been performed to determine whether changes in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and/or dopamine (DA) concentrations in peripheral blood are involved in intellectual impairment caused by inappropriate iodine nutrition. 498 children aged 7-12 from areas with different water iodine concentrations were included in the study.

A highly selective multi-responsive fluorescence sensor for Zn based on a diarylethene with a 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine unit.

A novel turn-on mode fluorescent diarylethene containing a 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine unit was developed to fluorescently sense Zn. Its multiple-responsive properties induced by Zn/EDTA and ultraviolet/visible light have been systematically studied. The fluorescence sensor could efficiently detect Zn with a 10 times enhancement of emission intensity and fluorescence color change (dark-green).