Ameliorates Rheumatic Heart Disease by Affecting Relative Percentages of CD4CD25FoxP3 Treg and CD4IL17 T Cells.

(. (SSLK) helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) but its effects on rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients remain unclear. 80 RHD patients were recruited and randomly assigned into SG (to receive SSLK treatment) and CG (to receive placebo) groups, and the intervention lasted for 3 months.

An ultra-sensitive ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid detection by the synergistic effect of AIE and TBET and its application of detecting exogenous/endogenous HOCl in living cells.

An ultra-sensitive and ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid (HOCl) detection based on the mechanism of aggregation induced emission (AIE) and through-bond energy transfer (TBET) has been reported herein. By exploiting the advantages of AIE and TBET, which eliminates emission leakage from dark donors, the probe exhibits ultra-high sensitivity towards HOCl by an enhancement of over 7000-fold in the fluorescence ratio (I/I), which is one of the highest recorded so far. The reaction mechanism has been discussed in detail, and the effects of interferents and the reaction kinetics have also been investigated.

A novel MKK gene (EcMKK6) in Epinephelus coioides: Identification, characterization and its response to Vibrio alginolyticus and SGIV infection.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MKK6) is one of the major important central regulatory proteins response to environmental and physiological stimuli. In this study, a novel MKK6, EcMKK6, was isolated from Epinephelus coioides, an economically important cultured fish in China and Southeast Asian counties. The open reading frame (ORF) of EcMKK6 is 1077 bp encoding 358 amino acids.

Chemical Proteomic Profiling of Bromodomains Enables the Wide-Spectrum Evaluation of Bromodomain Inhibitors in Living Cells.

Bromodomains, epigenetic "readers" of lysine acetylation marks, exist in different nuclear proteins with diverse biological functions in chromatin biology. Malfunctions of bromodomains are associated with the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as cancer. Bromodomains have therefore emerged as therapeutic targets for drug discovery.

MicroRNA-876 is sponged by long noncoding RNA LINC00707 and directly targets metadherin to inhibit breast cancer malignancy.

MicroRNA-876-5p (miR-876) dysregulation contributes to the aggressiveness of various types of human cancer. This study was aimed at measuring miR-876 expression in breast cancer, determining the specific roles of miR-876 in the progression of breast cancer and understanding the corresponding molecular mechanisms. miR-876 expression in breast cancer tissues and cell lines was quantified via RT-qPCR.

The influence of particle size and concentration combined with pH on coagulation mechanisms.

In order to evaluate the influence of particle size and particle concentration on the coagulation process, two kinds of particle suspensions, nanoparticles and microparticles, were employed to investigate the effect of particle size on coagulation mechanisms with varying coagulation parameters. Results showed that it is easier for nanoparticles to cause self-aggregation because of Brownian motion, while interception and sedimentation are the mainly physical processes affecting particle transport for microparticles, so they are more stable and disperse more easily. The particle size distribution and particle concentration had distinct influence on the coagulation mechanisms.

Floc structure and membrane fouling affected by sodium alginate interaction with Al species as model organic pollutants.

Membrane filtration combined with pre-coagulation has advantages in advanced wastewater treatment. As a model of a microbial polysaccharide, research on the effect of sodium alginate (SA) on alum hydrolysis has been rare; therefore, it is necessary to gain insight into the interface interaction between SA molecules and Al species, and the role SA plays during floc formation. In this study, the interaction mechanism between SA and Al species has been investigated, by evaluating the effect of SA on floc characteristics and membrane fouling during coagulation-ultrafiltration with different Al species coagulants (AlCl and preformed Al).

The first cloned sea cucumber FADD from Holothuria leucospilota: Molecular characterization, inducible expression and involvement of apoptosis.

In this study, a sea cucumber Fas-associated death domain (FADD) named HLFADD was first cloned from Holothuria leucospilota. The full-length cDNA of HLFADD is 2137 bp in size, containing a 116-bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 1334-bp 3'-UTR and a 687-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 228 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 26.42 kDa.

Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Monitoring Endogenous Methylglyoxal in Living Cells and Diabetic Blood Samples.

Optical imaging provides noninvasive powerful tools not only for better understanding the physiological and pathological roles of methylglyoxal (MGO) in living systems but also for potential clinical diagnosis of MGO-related diseases, such as diabetic complications. However, so far only very few "turn-on" MGO fluorescent sensors have been developed, and they are all based on the reaction between MGO and benzenediamines. Due to the possible reactions of benzenediamines with other cellular molecules, such as NO and FA, these sensors suffer from limited selectivity and potential deactivation in cells.

Nanotoxicity of Boron Nitride Nanosheet to Bacterial Membranes.

Boron nitride (BN) nanosheet is a novel material with great potential in biomedical applications. A deep understanding of the basic interaction mechanisms between biosystems and foreign BN nanosheets can help to better clarify the potential risks of these nanomaterials and provide guidance on their safe design. In this paper, we show that BN nanosheets can cause degradation of bacterial cell membranes via experimental and simulation-based approaches.

Association between androgen receptor gene polymorphisms and testicular germ cell tumor: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate association between androgen receptor (AR) gene polymorphisms and testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) susceptibility.

Materials And Methods: Systematic search of studies on the association between AR gene polymorphisms and TGCT susceptibility was conducted. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to pool effect size.

Heat Shock Protein 40 (HSP40) in Pacific White Shrimp (): Molecular Cloning, Tissue Distribution and Ontogeny, Response to Temperature, Acidity/Alkalinity and Salinity Stresses, and Potential Role in Ovarian Development.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs), a family of conserved proteins that are produced by cells in response to stresses, are known as molecular chaperones with a range of housekeeping and cellular protective functions. The 40 kD heat shock protein (HSP40) is a co-chaperone for HSP70 in the regulation of ATP hydrolysis. Unlike its well-documented cofactor HSP70, little is currently known regarding the biological functions of HSP40 in crustacean species such as penaeid shrimp.

Effects of antimicrobial peptides on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity and non-specific immune responses in Epinephelus coioides.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins showing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that have been known to be powerful agents against a variety of pathogens (bacteria, fungi and viruses). In this study, the effects of AMPs from Bacillus subtilis on Epinephelus coioides were examined. E.

An ultra-sensitive and ratiometric fluorescent probe based on the DTBET process for Hg detection and imaging applications.

In this article, we present an ultra-sensitive and ratiometric fluorescent probe (TR-Hg) for Hg detection based on the mechanism of aggregation induced emission (AIE) and dark through-bond energy transfer (DTBET). The probe was constructed using tetraphenylethene as the dark donor and rhodamine B thiolactone as the acceptor. By exploiting the advantages of DTBET, which eliminates emission leakage from dark donors and provides nearly 100% energy transfer efficiency, TR-Hg exhibits more than a 30 000-fold fluorescence ratio enhancement after reacting with Hg.

Cytoprotective role of S14G-humanin (HNG) in ultraviolet-B induced epidermal stem cells injury.

Skin provides the protective barrier for our body and undergoes the continuous regeneration in order to overcome damage from exposure to harmful environments and wounds. Epidermal stem cells (ESCs) play critical roles in skin regeneration. Humanin analogue, S14G-humanin (HNG), a prominent member of a newly discovered family of mitochondrial-derived peptides, has been shown to be a cytoprotective derivative in multiple cell types.

Associations Between IL-10 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: According to relevant reports, interleukin-10 (IL-10), as a multifunctional anti-inflammatory cytokine, has a critical influence in cancer development. A meta-analysis was carried out regarding the relationships among the -592 A/C, -1082 G/A, and -819 T/C polymorphisms as well as the susceptibility to skin squamous cell carcinoma (sSCC), melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Materials And Methods: A meta-analysis was carried out on the inter-relationships among the -592 A/C, IL-10-1082 G/A, and -819 T/C polymorphisms as well as the susceptibility to sSCC, melanoma, and BCC.

The competing endogenous circular RNA ADAMTS14 suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulating microRNA-572/regulator of calcineurin 1.

Emerging evidence have discovered that circular RNAs (circRNAs) may serve as diagnostic or tumor promising biomarkers. This study aimed to investigate how circular RNA ADAMTS14 (circADAMTS14) regulates microRNA-572/ regulator of calcineurin 1(miR-572/ RCAN1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression profiles of circRNA/microRNA (mRNA) between HCC tissues and paired adjacent tissues were analyzed via microarray analysis.

miR-30 Family Reduction Maintains Self-Renewal and Promotes Tumorigenesis in NSCLC-Initiating Cells by Targeting Oncogene TM4SF1.

Increasing evidence indicates that tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are responsible for the occurrence, development, recurrence, and development of the drug resistance of cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a significant functional role by directly regulating targets of TIC-triggered non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but little is known about the function of the miR-30 family in TICs. In this study, we found the miR-30 family to be downregulated during the spheroid formation of NSCLC cells, and patients with lower miR-30a/c expression had shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection impacts intestinal microbiota composition and function in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Intestinal microbiota homeostasis is crucial to the health of host. Pathogen invasion results in dynamics of microbiota composition and structure, disrupting their function in maintaining host health. WSSV is the most prevalent viral pathogen and is able to cause extremely high mortality in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of MyD88 from the tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota.

In this study, a myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) named as HLMyD88 was identified from the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota. The full-length cDNA of HLMyD88 is 4797 bp in size, containing a 227 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 3721 bp 3'-UTR and an 849 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 282 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 32.25 kDa HLMyD88 contains an N-terminal death domain and a C-terminal Toll/interluekin-1 receptor (TIR) domain with three highly conserved sequence motifs named as Box 1, Box 2 and Box 3.

Association Between Matrix Metalloproteinase-1, 2, 3 Polymorphisms and Oral Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Numerous studies have estimated the association between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) polymorphisms and the risk of oral cancer; the results, however, are inconsistent and conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of MMP-1, 2, and 3 polymorphisms with oral cancer risk.

Methods: A computerized literature search was conducted of electronic databases and search engines.

Identification and functional analysis of grouper (Epinephelus coioides) B-cell linker protein BLNK.

B-cell linker protein (BLNK) is an adaptor protein that plays a crucial role in the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signal pathway. To investigate the function of BLNK in teleost fish, we cloned a BLNK ortholog gene from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Homology analysis showed that the grouper BLNK (EcBLNK) had a 34%-77% amino acid identity in comparison to other vertebrates and shared the highest amino acid identity with BLNK from the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer.

CYP24A1 Inhibition Facilitates the Antiproliferative Effect of 1,25(OH)D Through Downregulation of the WNT/β-Catenin Pathway and Methylation-Mediated Regulation of CYP24A1 in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

CYP24A1 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer, and the reason for the dysregulation of CYP24A1 in colorectal cancer is still unknown. In the present study, experiments were designed to test whether CYP24A1 inhibition facilitated the antiproliferative effect of 1,25(OH)D. In addition, the role of methylation in the regulation of CYP24A1 expression in human colorectal cancer was investigated.