Functional variants of RPS6KB1 and PIK3R1 in the autophagy pathway genes and risk of bladder cancer.

Autophagy plays a critical role in cancer, since it can either suppress tumorigenesis by inhibiting cancer cell survival, or facilitate tumorigenesis by promoting cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, the role of genetic variants of autophagy-regulated key genes for bladder cancer risk remained unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the association of bladder cancer with genetic variants on genes involved in autophagy pathway.

1-n-heptyl-5-(3, 4-difluorophenyl) biguanide inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth by downregulating the EGFR signaling pathways.

Lung cancer is among the diseases with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. Our previous study found that a novel biguanide derivative, 1-n-heptyl-5-(3, 4-difluorophenyl) biguanide (8e) shows excellent anti-proliferative activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

CRH inputs inhibit the positive ensembles to induce negative effect of opiate withdrawal.

Plasticity of neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is critical for establishment of drug dependence. However, the remodeling of the circuits mediating the transition between positive and negative effect remains unclear. Here, we used neuronal activity-dependent labeling technique to characterize and temporarily control the VTA neuronal ensembles recruited by the initial morphine exposure (morphine-positive ensembles, Mor-Ens).

MuellerNet: a hybrid 3D-2D CNN for cell classification with Mueller matrix images.

Different from conventional microimaging techniques, polarization imaging can generate multiple polarization images in a single perspective by changing the polarization angle. However, how to efficiently fuse the information in these multiple polarization images by a convolutional neural network (CNN) is still a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a hybrid 3D-2D convolutional neural network called MuellerNet, to classify biological cells with Mueller matrix images (MMIs).

Prognostic value of infarct-related-lead Tpeak-Tend/QT ratio in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Tpeak-Tend/QT ratio (Tp-e/QT) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is reportedly associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). However, Tp-e/QT measurement methods are controversial, and few studies have clarified the effect of different Tp-e/QT measures on prognosis. Our study is the first to investigate the advantages of the Tp-e/QT measured by infarct-related-lead method in predicting MACEs during hospitalization and long-term mortality in patients with STEMI.

Novel Alcaligenes ammonioxydans sp. nov. from wastewater treatment sludge oxidizes ammonia to N with a previously unknown pathway.

Heterotrophic nitrifiers are able to oxidize and remove ammonia from nitrogen-rich wastewaters but the genetic elements of heterotrophic ammonia oxidation are poorly understood. Here, we isolated and identified a novel heterotrophic nitrifier, Alcaligenes ammonioxydans sp. nov.

Fluoride regulates chondrocyte proliferation and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Fluorine is an essential trace element for human health. However, excessive fluoride intake causes skeletal fluorosis which affects cartilage development. Fluoride inhibited chondrocyte proliferation which is the initial and critical step of endochondral ossification, but the underlying mechanism has not been clearly illustrated.

Tio and carbon nanotubes composites modify capacitive deionization anodes to improve the dechlorination efficiency in desulfurization wastewater.

A new capacitive deionization (CDI) technology was used to remove Cl from desulfurization wastewater. TiO and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were combined with N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) to form composites by a solvothermal method in which it is coated onto the CDI anode to improve dechlorination efficiency (DE). The morphology, surface area, wettability, crystal structure and chemical composition of the TiO/CNTs were characterized.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of thiacloprid against Echinococcus multilocularis.

Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic zoonosis caused by the larval form of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis). Current chemotherapy against AE has relied on albendazole and mebendazole, which only exhibit parasitostatic and not parasiticidal efficacy.

Novel compound heterozygous missense mutations in cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4A.

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the gene cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT4A) that are consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The case reported in this study is clinically and genetically diagnosed with recessive CMT4A that is caused by a compound novel heterozygous mutation. The genomic DNA of the proband with the clinical diagnosis of CMT was screened for mutations using a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene-panel that comprised of 27 CMT genes.

CD146 controls the quality of clinical grade mesenchymal stem cells from human dental pulp.

Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp (hMSC-DP), including dental pulp stem cells from permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, possess unique MSC characteristics such as expression of specific surface molecules and a high proliferation rate. Since hMSC-DP have been applied in numerous clinical studies, it is necessary to establish criteria to evaluate their potency for cell-based therapies.

Methods: We compared stem cell properties of hMSC-DP at passages 5, 10 and 20 under serum (SE) and serum-free (SF) culture conditions.

Conserved Sequence Analysis of Influenza A Virus HA Segment and Its Application in Rapid Typing.

The high mutation rate of the influenza A virus hemagglutinin segment poses great challenges to its long-term effective testing and subtyping. Our conserved sequence searching method achieves high-specificity conserved sequences on H1-H9 subtypes. In addition, PCR experiments show that primers based on conserved sequences can be used in influenza A virus HA subtyping.

Distinguishing multiple Zn sources in oysters in a complex estuarine system using Zn isotope ratio signatures.

The Pearl River Estuary (PRE), the largest estuary in Southern China, historically has suffered from metal contamination as a result of inputs from different riverine discharges. Determining the sources of metals accumulation in local aquatic flora and fauna remains a great challenge for this estuarine system with complex water circulation. In this study, Zn isotope ratios were measured in local oysters (Crassostrea hongkongensis) collected at 8 locations in the estuary on four occasions from 2014 to 2018, to better understand and assess the contamination sources.

China experts' consensus on preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatments of malocclusions of children.

Malocclusion is one of the three most common oral diseases reported by World Health Organization(WHO). In China, its incidence rate is rising. Malocclusion seriously affects the dental and maxillofacial function, facial appearance and growth development of nearly 260 million children in China, and what is more, it affects their physical and mental health development.

Microcyst fluid promotes the migration and invasion of fibroblasts in the adventitial layer of alveolar echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis), characterized by lesions composed of an aggregate of microcysts embedded in a granulomatous host's reaction. The periphery of parasite granulomas often additionally displays fibrotic reactions of varying intensity, in which E.

Phosphate adsorption characteristics of La(OH)-modified, canna-derived biochar.

La(OH)-modified canna biochar (CBC-La) was prepared by a coprecipitation method (dipping method), and its phosphate adsorption characteristics were investigated. The results show that the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir model can be used to describe the adsorption process with a high level of accuracy. Adsorption equilibrium could be reached at 8 h, at which point the maximum adsorption capacity was shown to be 37.

S100A4 Is Critical for a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma by Impacting Mast Cell Activation.

Background: The calcium-binding protein S100A4 demonstrates important regulatory roles in many biological processes including tumorigenesis and inflammatory disorders such as allergy. However, the specific mechanism of the contribution of S100A4 to allergic diseases awaits further clarification.

Objective: To address the effect of S100A4 on the regulation of mast cell activation and its impact on allergy.

Experimental and theoretical study of a new CDI device for the treatment of desulfurization wastewater.

According to the characteristics of desulfurization wastewater, A new capacitive deionization (CDI) device was designed to study the desalination characteristics of desulfurization wastewater in this paper. The experiments investigated the desalination efficiency under different conditions which find that the best desalination efficiency is achieved at a voltage of 1.2V, pH=11 and 50°C.

Relationship between the structure and function of the transcriptional regulator E2A.

E proteins are transcriptional regulators that regulate many developmental processes in animals and lymphocytosis and leukemia in Homo sapiens. In particular, E2A, a member of the E protein family, plays a major role in the transcriptional regulatory network that promotes the differentiation and development of B and T lymphocytes. E2A-mediated transcriptional regulation usually requires the formation of E2A dimers, which then bind to coregulators.

Real-world effectiveness of primary screening with high-risk human papillomavirus testing in the cervical cancer screening programme in China: a nationwide, population-based study.

Background: Randomized controlled trials have shown a higher sensitivity and longer negative predictive value of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing than cytology for cervical cancer screening; however, little is known about the effectiveness of HPV testing in middle-income countries. Understanding the characteristics of HPV testing may increase the priority of HPV testing in health policies. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HPV testing in the national cervical cancer screening programme in China.

In vivo and in vitro efficacy of crocin against Echinococcus multilocularis.

Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a fatal zoonosis caused by the larvae of Echinococcus multilocularis. However, current chemotherapy treatment options are based on benzimidazoles [albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole], which have limited efficacy. Therefore, novel drugs are necessary for the treatment of this disease.

Effect and Mechanism of Transthyretin over-Expression on Proliferation and Cell Cycle of Lung Cancer A549 Cells.

Background: The effects of transthyretin (TTR) over-expression on the proliferation and cell cycle of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells and its possible mechanism were verified.

Methods: A total of 196 LC patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled at Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China between Apr 2017 and Oct 2017. The serum TTR content was detected by ELISA.

Toward the Circular Economy of Rare Earth Elements: A Review of Abundance, Extraction, Applications, and Environmental Impacts.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly critical to the high-technology and low-carbon economy. With a shift to sustainable socioeconomic development that aims to be less fossil fuel dependent, global demand for REEs continues to rise, despite their uncertain supply chain and high environmental impact of production. Here, we review recent research on REEs, including global reserve assessment, REE-based applications, major REE production pathways, environmental impacts, and the potential to leverage circular economies within the REE industry.

Evaluation of Allicin Against Alveolar Echinococcosis In Vitro and in a Mouse Model.

Purpose: At present, the chemotherapy for alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is mainly based on albendazole (ABZ). However, more than 20% of patients fail chemotherapy. Therefore, new and more effective treatments are urgently needed.