Structure-based engineering of substrate specificity for pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases.

Pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases (PLRs) are enzymes involved in the lignan biosynthesis after the initial dimerization of two monolignols, and this represents the entry point for the synthesis of 8-8' lignans and contributes greatly to their structural diversity. Of particular interest has been the determination of how differing substrate specificities are achieved with these enzymes. Here, we present crystal structures of IiPLR1 from Isatis indigotica and pinoresinol reductases (PrRs) AtPrR1 and AtPrR2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, in the apo, substrate-bound and product-bound states.

Loss of liver X receptor β in astrocytes leads to anxiety-like behaviors via regulating synaptic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex in mice.

Astrocytes are integral components of synaptic transmission, and their dysfunction leads to neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Liver X receptor β (LXRβ) is expressed in astrocytes, and LXRβ global knockout mice shows impaired synaptic formation. In order to define the role of LXRβ in astrocytes, we used a conditional Cre-loxP system to specifically remove LXRβ from astrocytes.

Danon disease: a case report and literature review.

Background: Danon disease (DD) is a rare x-linked dominant multisystemic disorder with a clinical triad of severe cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, and mental retardation. It is caused by a defect in the lysosomal-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP2) gene, which leads to the formation of autophagic vacuoles containing glycogen granule deposits in skeletal and cardiac muscle fibers. So far, more than 50 different mutations in LAMP2 have been identified.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate S100A9 expression by sponging miR-196a-5p in rosacea.

Background: Rosacea is a complex, chronic, and recurrent dermatologic condition that adversely affects quality of life and self-esteem. However, clinical relevance and molecular mechanisms underlying NEAT1 influence in rosacea remain unclear.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the dynamics and influences of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in rosacea patients, and to explore the impacts of NEAT1 treatments on miR-196a-5p and S100A9 expression in LL37-treated HaCaT cells.

Identification and molecular characterization of mutant line deficiency in three waxy proteins of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Starch is the main component of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and a key factor in determining wheat processing quality. The Wx gene is the gene responsible for amylose synthesis.

Application of virtual scenario simulation combined with problem-based learning for paediatric medical students.

Objectives: To examine the application and effects of virtual scenario simulation combined with problem-based learning (PBL) in teaching paediatric medical students.

Methods: Participants were 300 paediatric medical students randomly divided into a study group and control group. Students in the study group were taught using virtual scenario simulation combined with PBL; students in the control group were taught using conventional teaching methods.

Index of microcirculatory resistance predicts long term cardiac systolic function in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Background: To evaluate the predictive value of the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) for long-term cardiac systolic function after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: A total of 53 acute anterior wall STEMI patients were included and followed up within 1-year. IMR was measured to evaluate the immediate intraoperative reperfusion.

Chronic respiratory dysfunction due to diaphragmatic paralysis following penetrating neck trauma: A case report.

Rationale: Respiratory dysfunction resulting from unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis during neck trauma is very rare in adults. We describe the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of 1 patient with chronic respiratory insufficiency, in whom the diaphragmatic paralysis was associated with phrenic nerve injury due to penetrating neck trauma.

Patient Concerns: A 50-year-old worker was admitted because of left penetrating neck trauma.

Transport Behavior of Oil in Mixed Wettability Shale Nanopores.

Shale oil reserves play an important role in the oil & gas industry. The investigation of oil transport behavior in shale nanopores is crucial in the successful exploitation of shale oil reservoirs. However, the transport mechanisms of oil in shale nanopores are still not understood.

Comparison of problem-based learning and traditional teaching methods in medical psychology education in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: PBL approach has been widely used in many Chinese universities over the past decade. However, the effects of PBL approach on medical psychology education in China are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the PBL approach was superior to the lecture-based teaching method in the context of the medical psychology curriculum in China.

The association between osteopontin and tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: We examined the data reported in the studies for comparison of osteopontin (OPN) levels in tuberculosis and healthy participants, and to discuss whether OPN could be extended to disease diagnosis, severity assessment and therapeutic effect monitering.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WanFang databases. The pooled risk estimates were shown in standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for OPN levels.

Enhanced Detection of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Pathogens With the BioFire® Pneumonia FilmArray® Panel.

Background: Although most observational studies identify viral or bacterial pathogens in 50% or less of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), we previously demonstrated that a multi-test bundle (MTB) detected a potential pathogen in 73% of patients. This study compares detection rates for potential pathogens with the MTB versus the Biofire® Pneumonia FilmArray® panel (BPFA) multiplex PCR platform and presents an approach for integrating BPFA results as a foundation for subsequent antibiotic stewardship (AS) activities.

Methods: Between January 2017 to March 2018, all patients admitted for CAP were enrolled.

The circular RNA circ-ERBIN promotes growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer by miR-125a-5p and miR-138-5p/4EBP-1 mediated cap-independent HIF-1α translation.

Background: Circular RNA (circRNAs) and hypoxia have been found to play the key roles in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the expressions and functions of the specific circRNAs in regulating hypoxia-involved CRC metastasis, and the circRNAs that are relevant to regulate HIF-1α levels in CRC remain elusive.

Methods: qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circRNAs and mRNA in CRC cells and tissues.

Human trophoblast-derived exosomes attenuate doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury by regulating miR-200b and downstream Zeb1.

Human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) have been confirmed to play a cardioprotective role in heart failure. However, whether trophoblast stem cell-derived exosomes (TSC-Exos) can protect cardiomyocytes from doxorubicin (Dox)-induced injury remains unclear. In the present study, TSC-Exos were isolated from the supernatants of human trophoblasts using the ultracentrifugation method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and western blotting.

Underwater acoustic characterisation of unexploded ordnance disposal using deflagration.

The seabed off North West Europe contains much unexploded ordnance (UXO), posing a hazard to offshore developments such as windfarms. The typical removal method is through high-order detonation of a donor charge placed adjacent to the UXO. This method poses a risk of injury or death to marine mammals and other fauna from the high sound levels produced.

Continued improvement in morbidity reduction in extremely premature infants.

Objective: Provide a progress report updating our long-term quality improvement collaboration focused on major morbidity reduction in extremely premature infants 23-27 weeks.

Methods: 10 Vermont Oxford Network (VON) neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) (the POD) sustained a structured alliance: (A) face-to-face meetings, site visits and teleconferences, (B) transparent process and outcomes sharing, (C) utilisation of evidence-based potentially better practice toolkits, (D) family integration and (E) benchmarking via a composite mortality-morbidity score (Benefit Metric). Morbidity-specific toolkits were employed variably by each NICU according to local priorities.

Extinction and stationary distribution of a competition system with distributed delays and higher order coupled noises.

A stochastic two-species competition system with saturation effect and distributed delays is formulated, in which two coupling noise sources are incorporated and every noise source has effect on two species' intrinsic growth rates in nonlinear form. By transforming the two-dimensional system with weak kernel into an equivalent four-dimensional system, sufficient conditions for extinction of two species and the existence of a stationary distribution of the positive solutions to the system are obtained. Our main results show that the two coupling noises play a significant role on the long time behavior of system.

Quercetin Downregulates Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression and HIF-1/VEGF Signaling-Related Angiogenesis in a Mouse Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development has been characterized by increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which contributes to angiogenesis via cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Quercetin, one of the most common and well-researched flavonoids and abundant in vegetables and fruits, has beneficial effects in inhibiting angiogenesis. This study investigated the antiangiogenic effects of quercetin on experimental aneurysms.

Circulating exosomal miR-144-3p inhibits the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells post myocardial infarction via regulating the MMP9 pathway.

Background: The angiogenesis post myocardial infarction (MI) is compromised in diabetes. MiR-144-3p is reported to be highly expressed in circulating exosomes of diabetic patients, implying its role in diabetic complications. However, whether circulating exosomes and enriched miR-144-3p are involved in the impaired neovascularization in diabetes and the underlying mechanism is unclear.

Protective effect of coumarin-pi against t-BHP-induced hepatotoxicity by upregulating antioxidant enzymes via enhanced Nrf2 signaling.

Coumarin-pi, a new coumarin derivative isolated from the mushroom Paxillus involutus, has antioxidative activity, but the underlying mechanism against intracellular oxidative stress is still unclear. This study investigated its cytoprotective effects and the antioxidative mechanism in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that coumarin-pi suppressed t-BHP-stimulated cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Retrospective analysis of 19 papulopustular rosacea cases treated with oral minocycline and supramolecular salicylic acid 30% chemical peels.

Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) is characterized by central facial erythema and transient papules and/or pustules, with or without telangiectases. The treatment of PPR is challenging due to the unclear and complex pathogenesis. In the present retrospective study, patients with PPR treated with oral minocycline and supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) 30% chemical peels enrolled between June 2018 and June 2019 were evaluated.

The Influence of Target Layout and Clicking Method on Picking Time and Dragging Performance Based on Eye-Control Technique.

Eye-tracking has been a hot topic in human-computer interaction (HCI). Nevertheless, previous studies usually adopted eye-tracking as information output rather than input. The eye-control technique can achieve convenient and rapid real-time operation through the movement of the eyes and reduce unnecessary manual operations.