MANF overexpression ameliorates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus cells by facilitating mitophagy through promoting MFN2 expression.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a degenerative condition associated with impaired mitophagy. MANF has been shown to promote mitophagy in murine kidneys; however, its role in IDD remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which MANF influences IDD development through the regulation of mitophagy.

A comprehensive workflow for optimizing RNA-seq data analysis.

Background: Current RNA-seq analysis software for RNA-seq data tends to use similar parameters across different species without considering species-specific differences. However, the suitability and accuracy of these tools may vary when analyzing data from different species, such as humans, animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. For most laboratory researchers lacking a background in information science, determining how to construct an analysis workflow that meets their specific needs from the array of complex analytical tools available poses a significant challenge.

Effects of Curcumin on the Egg Quality and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism of Laying Hens.

Curcumin, the major active compound of turmeric, has shown potential benefits for poultry health and production in various studies. However, its specific role in enhancing the egg quality and liver health of laying hens, as well as its underlying mechanisms, have yet to be determined. Here, a total of 600 Su Qin No.

ATP2B3 Inhibition Alleviates Erastin-Induced Ferroptosis in HT-22 Cells through the P62-KEAP1-NRF2-HO-1 Pathway.

Ferroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of neurological disorders. Modulating ferroptosis may have therapeutic potential in nervous system diseases. Therefore, TMTbased proteomic analysis in HT-22 cells was performed to identify erastin-induced differentially expressed proteins.

Chronic Variable Stress Induces Hepatic Fe(II) Deposition by Up-Regulating ZIP14 Expression via miR-181 Family Pathway in Rats.

It is well-known that hepatic iron dysregulation, which is harmful to health, can be caused by stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate chronic variable stress (CVS) on liver damage, hepatic ferrous iron deposition and its molecular regulatory mechanism in rats. Sprague Dawley rats at seven weeks of age were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (Con) and a CVS group.

Effect of conglomeration gradation on loess shear strength with different water content.

Particle gradation and water content are important factors affecting shear strength of soil. However, due to chemical cementation and molecular attraction, loess particles commonly stick together forming conglomerations. Till date, the superposition effect of water content and conglomeration gradation on loess shear strength has rarely been studied and undeniably requires further systematic explorations and development.

An open challenge to advance probabilistic forecasting for dengue epidemics.

A wide range of research has promised new tools for forecasting infectious disease dynamics, but little of that research is currently being applied in practice, because tools do not address key public health needs, do not produce probabilistic forecasts, have not been evaluated on external data, or do not provide sufficient forecast skill to be useful. We developed an open collaborative forecasting challenge to assess probabilistic forecasts for seasonal epidemics of dengue, a major global public health problem. Sixteen teams used a variety of methods and data to generate forecasts for 3 epidemiological targets (peak incidence, the week of the peak, and total incidence) over 8 dengue seasons in Iquitos, Peru and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[Projected changes in vegetation net primary productivity of grassland in Inner Mongolia, China during 2011-2050.].

In this paper, the CENTURY-based modeling system (complying CENTURY model from a site-based model into spatial model) after being systematically calibrated was used to investigate future climate change under Representative Concentration Pathways Scenario (RCP, 4.5 and 8.5) driven spatio-temporal changes in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) of Inner Mongolia grassland during 2011-2050.

Sodium hexadecyl sulfate as an interfacial substance adjusting the adsorption of a protein on carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were functionalized with sodium hexadecyl sulfate (SHS). The lysozyme adsorbed on the SHS-CNTs exhibited a higher activity than that immobilized on the nonfunctionalized CNTs. To explain the experimental results and explore the mechanism of lysozyme adsorption, large-scale molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for a four-component system, including lysozyme, SHS, CNTs in explicit water.

Comparison of 2-microm continuous wave laser vaporesection of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective nonrandomized trial with 1-year follow-up.

Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of the 2-microm continuous wave (cw) laser vaporesection of the prostate with transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: In this prospective study, 100 patients with a prostate weight of < 80 g underwent 2-microm cw laser vaporesection (n = 58) or TURP (n = 42). Efficacy follow-up included measurement of International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score, maximal urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual volume.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction data of an LNA 7-mer duplex derived from a ricin aptamer.

Locked nucleic acids (LNAs) are modified nucleic acids which contain a modified sugar such as beta-D-2'-O,4'-C methylene-bridged ribofuranose or other sugar derivatives in LNA analogues. The beta-D-2'-O,4'-C methylene ribofuranose LNAs in particular possess high stability and melting temperatures, which makes them of interest for stabilizing the structure of different nucleic acids. Aptamers, which are DNAs or RNAs targeted against specific ligands, are candidates for substitution with LNAs in order to increase their stability.

Clinical significance of p53, mdm2, and bcl-2 proteins in renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To improve our understanding of the clinical relevance of p53, mdm2, and bcl-2 protein overexpression in renal cell carcinoma, we retrospectively investigated the immunohistochemical expression of p53, murine double minute 2 (mdm2), and bcl-2 and the relationship of this expression to clinicopathologic characteristics. p53 regulates the transcription of downstream effectors such as the oncoprotein mdm2, and bcl-2 has been shown to inhibit apoptosis triggered by wild-type p53.

Methods: The expression of p53, mdm2, and bcl-2 protein was studied by immunohistochemical methods in paraffin-embedded nephrectomy specimens from 112 patients whose clinicopathologic data confirmed renal cell carcinoma.