A monoallelic variant in CCN2 causes an autosomal dominant spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with low bone mass.

Cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) is a secreted extracellular matrix-associated protein, and its aberrantly increased expression has been implicated in a diversity of diseases involving pathological processes of fibrosis, chronic inflammation, or tissue injury, which has promoted the evaluation of CCN2 as therapeutic targets for multiple disorders. However, human phenotypes associated with CCN2 deficiency have remained enigmatic; variants in CCN2 have not yet been associated with a human phenotype. Here, we collected families diagnosed with spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia (SEMD), and screened candidate pathogenic genes for families without known genetic causes using next-generation sequencing.

A novel subpopulation of monocytes with a strong interferon signature indicated by SIGLEC-1 is present in patients with in recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Type 1 diabetes is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterised by pancreatic beta cell destruction. In this study, we explored the pathogenic immune responses in initiation of type 1 diabetes and new immunological targets for type 1 diabetes prevention and treatment.

Methods: We obtained peripheral blood samples from four individuals with newly diagnosed latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and from four healthy control participants.

The Emerging Role of Interleukin-(IL)-11/IL-11R in Bone Metabolism and Homeostasis: From Cytokine to Osteokine.

Interleukin-(IL)-11 is a cytokine involved in hematopoiesis, cancer metastasis, and inflammation. IL-11 belongs to the IL-6 cytokine family, binding to the complex of receptors glycoprotein gp130 and the ligand-specific-receptor subunits (IL-11Rα or their soluble counterpart sIL-11R). IL-11/IL-11R signaling enhances osteoblast differentiation and bone formation and mitigates osteoclast-induced bone resorption and cancer bone metastasis.

A freestanding nitrogen-doped MXene/graphene cathode for high-performance Li-S batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) take a leading stand in developing next-generation secondary batteries with an exceptionally high theoretical energy density. However, the insulating nature and undesirable shuttle effect still need to be solved to improve the electrochemical performance. Herein, a freestanding graphene supported N-doped TiCT MXene@S cathode is successfully synthesized a straightforward no-slurry method.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus-Related circRNAs Regulate CD4+ T Cell Functions.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in development of malignancies through its active role as a "miRNA sponge." Their roles in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) pathogenesis are elusive. Here, the important role of circRNAs in T1DM was explored.

Nanofiber-Enhanced "Lucky-Bag" Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Efficient Wave Energy Harvesting by Soft-Contact Structure.

Developing clean and renewable ocean wave energy is a top priority and an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising green and clean energy-harvesting devices. To harvest low-frequency wave energy efficiently, much effort has been made on the modification of the contact surface, which leads to a higher fabrication cost.

Mutation of the novel acetylation site at K414R of BECN1 is involved in adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis.

BECN1, a protein essential for autophagy, is involved in adipocyte differentiation, lipolysis and insulin resistance. The discovery of new mechanisms for modifying BECN1 in adipocytes may provide novel therapeutic targets for obesity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mutations at the acetylation sites of BECN1 on adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis.

Gene silencing of ZnT8 attenuates inflammation and protects pancreatic tissue injury in T1D.

T lymphocyte mediated inflammation contributes to the development of T1D. Zinc Transporter 8 (ZnT8) has emerged as a target of autoreactive T cells in human T1D in recent years. However, the regulating of ZnT8 in T1D has not been identified.

Identification of HLA-A2-restricted immunogenic peptides derived from Vitamin D-Binding Protein.

T-cell-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells leads to Type 1 diabetes (TID). Vitamin D-Binding Protein (VDBP) has been identified as an autoantigen and T cell reactivity against VDBP increases in the development of T1D. Autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize β-cell-derived peptides in the context of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.

miR-330-5p/Tim-3 axis regulates macrophage M2 polarization and insulin resistance in diabetes mice.

Obesity is associated with a state of low-grade inflammatory response in adipose tissue, and contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes. Immune cells such as macrophages can infiltrate adipose tissue and are responsible for the majority of inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore, adipose tissue promotes macrophage infiltration, resulting in local inflammation and insulin resistance.

The draft genome assembly of Rhododendron delavayi Franch. var. delavayi.

Rhododendron delavayi Franch. is globally famous as an ornamental plant. Its distribution in southwest China covers several different habitats and environments.

A novel mimovirus encoding ChgA peptide with PD-L1 induces T cell tolerance and ameliorates the severity of diabetes.

Related studies demonstrate that type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by β-cell antigen specific autoreactive CD8+ T cells. ChgA has recently been identified as the autoantigen in NOD mice and T1D patients. Therefore, attenuating the activation of ChgA specific CD8+ T cells might be a promising target for T1D therapy.

Simultaneous laser excitation of backward volume and perpendicular standing spin waves in full-Heusler CoFeAlSi films.

Spin-wave dynamics in full-Heusler CoFeAlSi films are studied using all-optical pump-probe magneto-optical polar Kerr spectroscopy. Backward volume magnetostatic spin-wave (BVMSW) mode is observed in films with thickness ranging from 20 to 100 nm besides perpendicular standing spin-wave (PSSW) mode, and found to be excited more efficiently than the PSSW mode. The field dependence of the effective Gilbert damping parameter appears especial extrinsic origin.

The water-water cycle is a major electron sink in Camellia species when CO assimilation is restricted.

The water-water cycle (WWC) is thought to dissipate excess excitation energy and balance the ATP/NADPH energy budget under some conditions. However, the importance of the WWC in photosynthetic regulation remains controversy. We observed that three Camellia cultivars exhibited high rates of photosynthetic electron flow under high light when photosynthesis was restricted.

ZnT8/HLA-A2 dimers attenuate the severity of diabetes by inducing CD8+ T cell tolerance.

Recent studies demonstrated that activated CD8+ T cells contributed to the development of T1D, and Zinc Transporter 8 (ZnT8) has emerged as a target of autoreactive T cells in human T1D in recent years. In the previous work, we identified that ZnT8 peptide as a candidate to generate CD8+ T cells and induce diabetes in mice. In addition, MHC-peptide complexes that interact with autoreactive T cells can induce immune tolerance.

MiR-130b promotes obesity associated adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in diabetes mice through alleviating M2 macrophage polarization via repression of PPAR-γ.

Inflammatory pathways play an important role in impaired glucose metabolism and insulin production. Adipose tissue inflammation is characterized by infiltration and expansion of macrophages, leading to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Macrophage polarization contributes to various inflammatory responses and cytokine production profiles.

Loss of Heterozygosity of 9p Is Associated with Poorer Survival in Patients with Gliomas.

The prognostic factors associated with the survival of glioma patients have not been well established. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 9p was known to be a typical molecular signature of gliomas, but it was still unclear whether LOH of 9p was associated with poorer survival in patients with gliomas. We searched PubMed and Embase databases from the earliest records to May 2015 to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria.

Microinjection of calcitonin in midbrain periaqueductal gray attenuates hyperalgesia in a chronic constriction injury rat model.

Objectives: As heat, pain is one of the most common clinical symptoms. Generally, calcitonin (CT) is prescribed as an analgesic agent for the treatment of pain, especially for the pain caused by osteoporosis or primary and metastatic bone tumor. However, the detailed mechanism remains unknown.

Antihyperalgesic effect of 5-HT7 receptor activation on the midbrain periaqueductal gray in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

The 5-HT7 receptor is the most recently discovered receptor for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and only little is known about the analgesic potential of this receptor. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) modulates pain transmission by activating P2X/P2Y receptors, in which the P2X3 subtype is an important target for this effect. This study examined the antihyperalgesic effect of the 5-HT7 receptors in the ventrolateral midbrain periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a crucial site for endogenous pain inhibition.

How do leaf anatomies and photosynthesis of three Rhododendron species relate to their natural environments?

Background: Rhododendron is one of the most well-known alpine flowers. In order to identify performances relating to Rhododendron's natural habitats we investigated the leaf anatomical structures and photosynthetic characteristics of R. yunnanense, R.

The survey on implementation of evidence-based nursing in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia and the effect observation.

The objective is to survey the effect of evidence-based nursing (EBN) in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia and to observe the effect, providing a reference for clinical nursing intervention. 146 patients with mechanical ventilator were included and randomly divided into control group (n = 73) and observation group (n = 73). Patients in control group received conventional nursing method, and patients in observation group received EBN according to the nursing principles.