TAK1 ubiquitination regulates doxorubicin-induced NF-κB activation.

Chemotherapeutic agents- and radiation therapy-induced NF-κB activation in cancer cells contributes to aggressive tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy and ionizing radiation during cancer treatment. TAK1 has been shown to be required for genotoxic stress-induced NF-κB activation. However, whether TAK1 ubiquitination is involved in genotoxic stress-induced NF-κB activation remains unknown.

Deciphering the transcriptional regulation of microRNA genes in humans with ACTLocater.

Understanding the transcriptional regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is extremely important for determining the specific roles they play in signaling cascades. However, precise identification of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) orchestrating the expressions of miRNAs remains a challenge. By combining accessible chromatin sequences of 12 cell types released by the ENCODE Project, we found that a significant fraction (~80%) of such integrated sequences, evolutionary conserved and in regions upstream of human miRNA genes that are independently transcribed, were preserved across cell types.

PPM1B negatively regulates antiviral response via dephosphorylating TBK1.

The production of type I interferon must be tightly regulated and aberrant production of type I interferon is harmful or even fatal to the host. TBK1 phosphorylation at Ser172 plays an essential role in TBK1-mediated antiviral response. However, how TBK1 activity is negatively regulated remains poorly understood.

Channel selection and classification of electroencephalogram signals: an artificial neural network and genetic algorithm-based approach.

Objective: An electroencephalogram-based (EEG-based) brain-computer-interface (BCI) provides a new communication channel between the human brain and a computer. Amongst the various available techniques, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are well established in BCI research and have numerous successful applications. However, one of the drawbacks of conventional ANNs is the lack of an explicit input optimization mechanism.

Drastic expression change of transposon-derived piRNA-like RNAs and microRNAs in early stages of chicken embryos implies a role in gastrulation.

Recent studies have shown that endogenous small RNAs regulate a variety of biological processes during vertebrate development; however, little is known about the role of small RNAs in regulating developmental signaling pathways during early embryogenesis. In this study, we applied Illumina sequencing to characterize an unexpected endogenous small RNA catalog and demonstrated a dramatic transition from transposon-derived piRNA-like small RNAs (pilRNAs) to microRNAs (miRNAs) in pre- and post-gastrula chicken embryos. The comprehensive expression profile of chicken miRNAs at the pre- and post-gastrula stages revealed that most known and new miRNAs were dynamically regulated during development.

Lys48-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination at lysine-72 downregulates TNFα-induced NF-κB activation via mediating TAK1 degradation.

Protein kinases are important regulators of intracellular signal transduction pathways and play critical roles in diverse cellular processes. TAK1, a member of the MAPKKK family, is essential for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation. Phosphorylation and Lys(63)-linked polyubiquitination (polyUb) of TAK1 are critical for its activation.

[Causes of death among HIV-infected patients in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province: 1989-2010].

Objectives: To analyze the fatality and causes of death related to comprehensive prevention and care programs among HIV-infected patients in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province, from 1989 to 2010.

Methods: Data on HIV/AIDS death cases in Dehong prefecture were extracted from the "Chinese National Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Information System" and were analyzed.

Results: From 1989 to the end of 2010, a total of 13 493 HIV/AIDS cases registered as local residents or currently living in Dehong, had been reported.

[Studies on the determinants and changes related to the natural CD4(+) T cell counts among antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV/AIDS patients in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province].

Objective: To explore the determinants and changes of CD4(+) T cell counts among antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV/AIDS patients in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on HIV-infected local residents, being reported during 1989 through May 2010, in Dehong prefecture. The patients had received at least two CD4(+) T cell counting tests before receiving the antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Deposition of chemically modified α-Al2O3 particles for high performance ZIF-8 membrane on a macroporous tube.

Through deposition of APTES-functionalized Al2O3 particles onto a coarse macroporous support, a new strategy to reduce the pore size and simutaneously promote a high density of heterogeneous nucleation sites was developed, and a continuous and thin ZIF-8 membrane exhibiting remarkably high H2 permeance of 5.73 × 10(-5) mol m(-2) s(-1) Pa(-1) and H2/N2 ideal selectivity of 15.4 was achieved.

DeepBase: annotation and discovery of microRNAs and other noncoding RNAs from deep-sequencing data.

Recent advances in high-throughput deep-sequencing technology have produced large numbers of short and long RNA sequences and enabled the detection and profiling of known and novel microRNAs (miRNAs) and other noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) at unprecedented sensitivity and depth. In this chapter, we describe the use of deepBase, a database that we have developed to integrate all public deep-sequencing data and to facilitate the comprehensive annotation and discovery of miRNAs and other ncRNAs from these data. deepBase provides an integrative, interactive, and versatile web graphical interface to evaluate miRBase-annotated miRNA genes and other known ncRNAs, explores the expression patterns of miRNAs and other ncRNAs, and discovers novel miRNAs and other ncRNAs from deep-sequencing data.

A repetitive S-band long-pulse relativistic backward-wave oscillator.

This paper presents both numerical and experimental studies of a repetitive S-band long-pulse relativistic backward-wave oscillator. The dispersion relation curve of the main slow-wave structure is given by the numerical calculation. Experimental results show that a 1 GW microwaves with pulse duration of about 100 ns (full width of half magnitude) under 10 Hz repetitive operation mode are obtained.

Gender-specific association of sleep duration with blood pressure in rural Chinese adults.

Background: There are limited data about the role of gender on the relationship between sleep duration and blood pressure (BP) from rural populations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional rural population-based study. This report includes 1033 men and 783 women aged 18-65 years from a cohort of twins enrolled in Anhui, China, between 2005 and 2008.

Localisation and expression of aquaporin subtypes in epithelial ovarian tumours.

To characterise AQP subtype localisation and expression in epithelial ovarian tumours, immunohistochemistry was used to assess the localisation and expression of AQP1-9 in 30 benign tumour cases, 30 borderline tumour cases, 50 malignant tumour cases and 20 normal ovarian tissue cases. Multiple AQP subtypes were expressed in epithelial ovarian tumours, with each AQP subtype displaying a different pattern of localisation and expression. AQP1 was mainly expressed in the microvascular endothelium, and AQP 2-9 were mainly expressed in tumour cells.

Upgraded multipulse laser and multipoint Thomson scattering diagnostics on EAST.

Recently a new Thomson scattering diagnostic system was upgraded in EAST tokamak experiment using a multipulse Nd:YAG (neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet) laser and a multipoint observation volumes. This diagnostic uses a new optical laser alignment technique that was made to determine accurately the laser position, and a new lens collection system that enables the measurement of wider plasma's object. A composite control system made we can get the results in several seconds.

Inhibitory effect of Epigallocatechin gallate on ovarian cancer cell proliferation associated with aquaporin 5 expression.

Objective: Abnormal expression of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) is associated with ovarian cancer infiltration, metastasis and angiogenesis. AQP 5 expression and apoptosis have been shown to be closely related to nuclear transcription factor NF-κB. In this study, we investigated the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis by Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potential anti-cancer drug, in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 as well as the effect of EGCG on AQP5 expression and its possible mechanisms.

Arsenic trioxide re-sensitizes ERα-negative breast cancer cells to endocrine therapy by restoring ERα expression in vitro and in vivo.

Approximately one-third of breast cancers lack estrogen receptor α (ERα) because of the hypermethylation of the CpG island in the receptor's promoter. These tumors are associated with poorer histological differentiation, a higher growth fraction, are rarely responsive to endocrine therapy and have a worse clinical outcome. Thus, re-expression of ERα in ERα-negative breast cancers may restore the sensitivity of antiestrogen therapy.

Production of glutathione using a bifunctional enzyme encoded by gshF from Streptococcus thermophilus expressed in Escherichia coli.

Glutathione (GSH) is one of the most ubiquitous non-protein thiols that is involved in numerous cellular activities. The gene coding for a novel bifunctional enzyme catalyzing the reaction for glutathione synthesis, gshF, was cloned from Streptococcus thermophilus SIIM B218 and expressed in Escherichia coli JM109. In the presence of the precursor amino acids and ATP, the induced cells of E.

Proliferation inhibition of cisplatin and aquaporin 5 expression in human ovarian cancer cell CAOV3.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between proliferation inhibition of cisplatin and aquaporin 5 (AQP5) expression and its regulation in ovarian carcinoma cell CAOV3.

Methods: Cell growth rate was measured by MTT after CAOV3 cells were incubated with cisplatin or NF-κB inhibitor PDTC. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of AQP5 and NF-κB p65.

USP4 inhibits p53 through deubiquitinating and stabilizing ARF-BP1.

Tumour suppressor p53 levels in the cell are tightly regulated by controlled degradation through ubiquitin ligases including Mdm2, COP1, Pirh2, and ARF-BP1. The ubiquitination process is reversible via deubiquitinating enzymes, such as ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs). In this study, we identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 4 (USP4) as an important regulator of p53.

[Detection technology of methane gas concentration based on infrared absorption spectrum].

According to the disadvantages of current methane sensor in coal mine, the infrared methane concentration detection system based on the principle of infrared spectrum absorption was designed using differential absorption technology. In the system single light beam absorbing cell and single light beam and double wavelengths technology are adopted. Differential amplifier circuit serves as the core of faint signal processing circuit that detects the output signal of methane concentration, and linear formula fits the curve of methane concentration and output voltage, which realizes accurate and full range detection of gas concentration.

Community built environment factors and mobility around senior wellness centers: the concept of "safe senior zones".

The authors investigated built environment (BE) factors in urban neighborhoods in DeKalb County, Georgia. Each volunteering, consenting senior was placed into one of two groups: walking tours outside, then discussions (n=37); and focus group discussions indoors about photographs of BE conditions potentially influencing mobility (n=43). The authors sought to identify BE factors-both real and perceived by participating seniors-related to their ability to walk around senior wellness centers in a healthy and safe manner.

A novel Toll-like receptor that recognizes vesicular stomatitis virus.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the key molecular sensors used by the mammalian innate immune system to detect various types of pathogens. Tlr13 is a novel and uncharacterized member of the mammalian TLR family. Here we report the cloning and characterization of tlr13.

TAK1 Lys-158 but not Lys-209 is required for IL-1β-induced Lys63-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination and IKK/NF-κB activation.

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor-mediated transcription is the endpoint of a series of signal transduction events that are initiated by a vast array of stimuli. Both the proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions of ubiquitination are critically important for the regulation of NF-κB activation. Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of TAK1 is required for IL-1β-induced IKK/NF-κB activation.

A single intravenous injection of oncolytic picornavirus SVV-001 eliminates medulloblastomas in primary tumor-based orthotopic xenograft mouse models.

Difficulties of drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and failure to eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be the major causes of tumor recurrences in children with medulloblastoma (MB). Seneca Valley virus-001 (SVV-001) is a naturally occurring oncolytic picornavirus that can be systemically administered. Here, we report its antitumor activities against MB cells in a panel of 10 primary tumor-based orthotopic xenograft mouse models.

starBase: a database for exploring microRNA-mRNA interaction maps from Argonaute CLIP-Seq and Degradome-Seq data.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an important class of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) that regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs. However, assigning miRNAs to their regulatory target genes remains technically challenging. Recently, high-throughput CLIP-Seq and degradome sequencing (Degradome-Seq) methods have been applied to identify the sites of Argonaute interaction and miRNA cleavage sites, respectively.