Role of microRNA miR171 in plant development.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNA with 19-24 nucleotides (nts) in length, which play an essential role in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. As one of the first miRNAs found in plants, miR171 is a typical class of conserved miRNAs. The miR171 sequences among different species are highly similar, and the vast majority of them have both "GAGCCG" and "CAAUAU" fragments.

Astragaloside IV improves the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in rats with hyperuricemic nephropathy by regulating urea metabolism in gut microbiota.

Hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) is a common clinical complication of hyperuricemia. The pathogenesis of HN is directly related to urea metabolism in the gut microbiota. Febuxostat, a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is the first-line drug used for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

A mini hallux neurovascular osteo-onychocutaneous free flap for refined reconstruction of distal defects in thumbs and fingers.

Distal injury in thumbs and fingers is common in emergency. Although multiple surgical techniques have been introduced for repair purpose, it is still challenging for restoring both good function and cosmetic appearance. The present study reports our experiences on how to reconstruct amputated fingertips in thumbs and fingers using a mini hallux neurovascular osteo-onychocutaneous free flap with favorable outcomes in 15 patients (average age, 27.

Risk factor analysis and nomogram development for steatorrhea in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives: Steatorrhea, a sign of severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), is related to consequences caused by pancreatitis. This study aimed to identify predictors and to construct a nomogram for steatorrhea in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP).

Methods: ICP patients admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to December 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective-prospective cohort study and randomly assigned to the training and validation cohorts.

High level nitrosamines in rat faeces with colorectal cancer determined by a sensitive GC-MS method.

N-nitrosamines (NAs) are common toxic substances that have a strong correlation with many human diseases, such as liver damage and cancer. However, there is a lack of studies on methods involving the detection of NAs in biological samples, possibly owing to the interference of complex biological matrices and the influence of endogenous NAs. In this work, solid-phase extraction with mixed solid phases and adsorption sedimentation were used to successfully establish a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for detecting eight NAs in rat faeces.

Whole body vibration training improves depression-like behaviors in a rat chronic restraint stress model.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that brings great harm and burden to both patients and society. This study aimed to examine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on a chronic restraint stress (CRS) induced depression rat model and provide an initial understanding of related molecular mechanisms. Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: a) control group, b) depressive disorder group, and c) depression with WBV training treatment group.

Rational Design of β-sheet Peptides with Self-Assembly into Nanofibres on Remineralisation of Initial Caries Lesions.

Objective: To explore the self-assembly and gelation properties of synthetic peptides, and their efficacy on hydroxyapatite (HAP) nucleation and in situ remineralisation of initial caries lesions.

Methods: Mass spectrometry and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC) were used to confirm the successful synthesis of peptides. Their self-assembly properties and conformation stability were evaluated using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Monitoring the spatiotemporal terrestrial water storage changes in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin by applying the P-LSA and EOF methods to GRACE data.

The Yarlung Zangbo River Basin is a regulator of water vapor changes in China and even Asia. To avoid the shortcomings of traditional water resource monitoring methods, this study used Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data to monitor the terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) in this river from 2002 to 2015 with the help of the polynomial-least squares approach (P-LSA) and the empirical orthogonal function (EOF). The obtained TWSA was compared with hydrometeorological data from several sources to discuss the applicability, uniqueness and response relationship.

Comparison of laparoscopic selective colectomy based on barium-strip examination and subtotal colectomy for adult slow-transit constipation.

Background: Surgical management of adult slow-transit constipation (ASTC) can be effective for patients with intractable symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate whether barium-strip examination and selective colectomy improved post-operative outcomes in ASTC patients in comparison with subtotal colectomy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 53 cases with refractory ASTC was conducted between June 2008 and June 2014.

Separation of chloroform from a dilute solution using a cyclic peptide nanotube: A molecular dynamics study.

This work firstly explored the potential application of a cyclic peptide nanotube (CPNT) in the separation of chloroform from a dilute solution. Four hydrophobic CPNTs of 8 × (WL) and 8 × (AL) all exhibit excellent adsorption characteristics to chloroform. The CPNT diameter, side chain structures and the concentration of chloroform in a solution all affect the adsorption characteristics of chloroform.

Pharmacokinetic comparisons of Paeoniflorin and Paeoniflorin-6'O-benzene sulfonate in rats via different routes of administration.

1. The pharmacokinetics study of Paeoniflorin (Pae) and its acylated derivative (CP-25) was performed. 2.

Highly sensitive detection of bovine serum albumin based on the aggregation of triangular silver nanoplates.

A simple, fast and highly sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been developed based on the interactions between triangular silver nanoplates (TAgNPs) and BSA in the presence of Britton-Robison buffer solution (BR). Particularly, the wavelength of absorption maximum (λ(max)) of TAgNPs is red shifted in the presence of BSA together with Britton-Robinson buffer solution (BR, pH=2.56), and the color of the solution changed from blue to light blue.

Genetic polymorphisms affect efficacy and adverse drug reactions of DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological agents are critical in preventing the severe complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the outcome of treatment with these drugs in RA patients is quite variable and unpredictable. Drug-metabolizing enzymes (dihydrofolate reductase, cytochrome P450 enzymes, N-acetyltransferases, etc.

In vitro inhibition of bovine enamel demineralization by enamel matrix derivative.

This study aimed to determine whether enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) affects the demineralization of bovine enamel in vitro and to assess the agent's anti-caries potential. Bovine enamel blocks were prepared and randomly divided into three groups (n = 15 per group), which were treated with distilled water (negative control), NaF (positive control), or Emdogain. All three groups were pH-cycled 12 times over 6 days.

Efficacy and safety of adjunctive cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy after stent implantation: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Aspirin and clopidogrel dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) reduce ischemic events in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, recurrent ischemic event occurrence during DAT remains a major concern. This systematic review assesses the efficacy and safety of adjunctive cilostazol to DAT in combination with DAT on reducing clinical adverse events.

Possibilities and potential roles of the functional peptides based on enamel matrix proteins in promoting the remineralization of initial enamel caries.

Dental caries is the most common oral diseases, and it gives a serious threat to oral and general health. Fluoride, a classic anti-caries agent, has a profound effect on caries prevention and treatment. However, fluorosis and fluoride-resistant strains limit the further application of fluoride treatment.