FRET-Based Upconversion Nanoprobe Sensitized by Nd for the Ratiometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Vivo.

The exorbitant level of hydrogen peroxide is closely related to many human diseases. The development of novel probes for HO detection will be beneficial to disease diagnosis. In this study, a novel Nd-sensitized upconversion nanoprobe based on Förster resonance energy transfer was first developed for sensing HO.

Hydrogen gas reduces HMGB1 release in lung tissues of septic mice in an Nrf2/HO-1-dependent pathway.

Background: Lung injury is a vital contributor of mortality in septic patients. Our previous studies have found that molecular hydrogen (H), which has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis effects, had a therapeutic effect on a septic animal model through increasing expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of 2% H gas inhalation on sepsis-induced lung injury and its underlying mechanisms.

Endothelin-1 triggers human peritoneal mesothelial cells' proliferation via ERK1/2-Ets-1 signaling pathway and contributes to endothelial cell angiogenesis.

Background: Dysfunction of the peritoneum as a dialysis organ may result from progressive membrane injury on peritoneal dialysis (PD). It has been increasingly recognized that the human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) play a key role in peritoneal membrane early injury. Recently, it has been reported that bioincompatible PD fluid with high concentrations of glucose and glucose degradation products, low pH, high osmolality, and peritonitis stimulates HPMCs to release endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Down-regulation of miR-203a by lncRNA PVT1 in multiple myeloma promotes cell proliferation.

Introduction: Emerging evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in multiple myeloma (MM) development and progression. However, the underlying mechanism of PVT1 in MM remains unclear.

Material And Methods: QRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of PVT1 and miR-203a in MM samples and cell lines.

Molecular characteristics and functional study of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides).

In mammals, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is a crucial intracellular adaptor protein, which performs a vital role in numerous signaling pathways that activate NF-κB, MAPKs, and IRFs. In the present study, three TRAF2 sequences were identified from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), and named EcTRAF2-1, EcTRAF2-2, and EcTRAF2-3. These sequences contained conserved structure features that were similar to those of mammals.

The effect of liraglutide on the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells.

Objective: Liraglutide (LIRA) is a novel antidiabetic therapy that may have anti-inflammatory and bone protective effects. Thus, we studied the potential therapeutic effect of LIRA on periodontitis by assessing the effects of LIRA on the proliferation, migration, inflammation, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) after LPS stimulation.

Material And Methods: The expression of glucagon like-peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) was measured using qRT-PCR.

Molecular identification and functional characterization of IRAK-3 from a teleost fish, the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides).

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-3 (IRAK-3) is a unique IRAK family member, which negatively regulates the TLR-mediated immune response in mammals. However, the function of IRAK-3 remains to be elucidated in fish. In the present study, an IRAK-3 cDNA sequence (EcIRAK-3) with an ORF of 1776 bp encoding 591 amino acids was identified in the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides).

Silica nanoparticles induce autophagosome accumulation via activation of the EIF2AK3 and ATF6 UPR pathways in hepatocytes.

Autophagy dysfunction is a potential toxic effect of nanoparticles. Previous studies have indicated that silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) induce macroautophagy/autophagy dysfunction, while the precise mechanisms remain uncertain. Hence, the present study investigated the molecular mechanisms by which SiNPs enhanced autophagosome synthesis, which then contributed to autophagy dysfunction.

Self-Assembly of Three-Dimensional Zinc-Doped NiCo O as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

In this work, a series of three-dimensional porous flower-like zinc doped NiCo O (ZNCO) nanostructures with different Zn doping level are successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal process without using any templets. The obtained products are characterized by various techniques, and their electrocatalytic performances are also assessed by the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). According to the electrochemical characterization, it is demonstrated that ZNCO-0.

808 nm-light-excited upconversion nanoprobe based on LRET for the ratiometric detection of nitric oxide in living cancer cells.

NO (nitric oxide) has dual functions in cancer, promoting carcinogenesis in low concentrations and inducing tumor cell apoptosis at high concentrations. The dual-edged-sword functions of NO make it particularly appealing to develop a sensitive and specific chemical probe for its detection. However, most NO sensors suffer from poor Stokes shifts and are limited by ultraviolet (UV) or visible light excitation, which render it difficult to avoid the intrinsic background signal.

Placental transmogrification of the lung presenting as a peripheral solitary nodule in a male with the history of trauma: A case report.

Rationale: Placental transmogrification of the lung is a very rare lesion which was characterized by the presence of papillae resembling placental villi. Its pathogenesis still remains unclear. Some authors think that this lesion is congenital and related to hamartoma, and others advocate it is secondary change after emphysema.

MST1 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating YAP phosphorylation and Hippo pathway.

Mammalian ste20-like kinase 1 (MST1) is a Ser/Thr kinase involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic development. MST1 is also an important member of the Hippo pathway which can regulate organ size and cell proliferation. Growing evidence indicates that MST1 influences cell proliferation through different pathways including Wnt, Akt, JNK, and Hippo pathways in different cells respectively.

An Osteoporosis Risk SNP at 1p36.12 Acts as an Allele-Specific Enhancer to Modulate LINC00339 Expression via Long-Range Loop Formation.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have reproducibly associated variants within intergenic regions of 1p36.12 locus with osteoporosis, but the functional roles underlying these noncoding variants are unknown. Through an integrative functional genomic and epigenomic analyses, we prioritized rs6426749 as a potential causal SNP for osteoporosis at 1p36.

Dielectric Behavior and Phase Behavior of Block Copolymer PEO-PPO-PEO Aqueous Solution.

Dielectric spectroscopy can be applied to study the structure and dynamics of block polymer. In this work, dielectric measurements of block copolymer Pluronic L64 solution are carried out in the frequency range between 40 Hz and 110 MHz with variable temperatures and concentrations. We analyze the phase behavior of the PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic L64) aqueous system according to the concentration/temperature-dependence of direct current conductivity.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of two strontium ranelate formulations after single oral administration in healthy Chinese subjects.

Pharmacokinetics of exogenous strontium (Sr) and bioequivalence of a new oral formulation of strontium ranelate compared with the brand-name drug in healthy Chinese subjects was evaluated. A balanced, randomized, single-dose, two-treatment parallel study was conducted in 36 healthy Chinese subjects. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups of 18 to receive a single oral dose of test formulation and reference formulation under a fasting state, respectively.

Peripheral mucous gland adenoma of the lung with parenchymal involvement and smooth muscle in the stroma: A rare case report and literature review.

Rationale: Mucous gland adenoma is an extremely rare benign tumor predominately presented in central bronchus. Thus far, only six cases located in the periphery have been reported in English literature.

Patient Concerns: Herein, we report a case located in periphery of the lung with parenchymal involvement in a 59-year-old female.

Phosphate stimulates myotube atrophy through autophagy activation: evidence of hyperphosphatemia contributing to skeletal muscle wasting in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Accelerated muscle atrophy is associated with a three-fold increase in mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It is suggested that hyperphosphatemia might contribute to muscle wasting, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Although evidence indicates that autophagy is involved in the maintenance of muscle homeostasis, it is not known if high phosphate levels can result in activation of autophagy, leading to muscle protein loss.

[Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of CDH13 gene with metabolic syndrome among ethnic Han Chinese].

OBJECTIVE To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the T-cadherin (CDH13) gene with metabolic syndrome (MS) among ethnic Han Chinese.METHODS Genotypes of 6 SNPs(rs11646213, rs12596316, rs3865188, rs12444338, rs12051272, and rs7195409) of the CDH13 gene among 453 patients with MS and 526 controls were determined with a TaqMan method, and their association with MS was assessed. RESULTS For 5 SNPs (rs11646213, rs3865188, rs12444338, rs12051272, and rs7195409), no difference was found in allelic and genotypic frequencies of the CDH13 gene between the two groups.

OCA2 rs4778137 polymorphism predicts survival of breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) studies have showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in OCA2 gene were associated with the survival of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. To further explain the association between OCA2 SNPs and breast cancer survival, we investigated the predictive value of rs4778137 located in OCA2 in local advanced breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A case-cohort with 150 breast cancer patients was performed to evaluate the effects of the OCA2 rs4778137 on breast cancer survival.

Interleukin-17 promotes the production of underglycosylated IgA1 in DAKIKI cells.

Background: Interleukin 17 (IL-17) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and might be associated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). This study aimed to investigate the effect of IL-17 on autoimmune pathogenesis in IgA nephropathy.

Methods: DAKIKI cells were cultured and stimulated with IL-17 to perform dose-dependent and time-dependent experiments.

Characterization and expression patterns of ERK1 and ERK2 from Epinephelus coioides against Cryptocaryon irritans infection.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a group of serine-threonine protein kinases, play a crucial role in immunoreaction response to extra environmental stresses. In this study, two novel MAPKs, Ec-ERK1 and Ec-ERK2, were identified from Epinephelus coioides. Both Ec-ERK1 and Ec-ERK2 sequences contain a highly conserved Thr-Glu-Tyr (TEY) motif, an HRD domain, and an ATP binding loop containing GXGXXG.

miR-124 inhibits progression of hepatocarcinoma by targeting KLF4 and promises a novel diagnostic marker.

Hepatocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancy haunting the Chinese population, which is partially due to the difficulties in diagnosis at an early stage. The search for a biomarker that could signify the presence and progress of hepatocarcinoma is never ended. MicroRNAs are 22-nt RNAs that could bind to 3' UTR of target mRNAs, mediating degradation of mRNAs or inhibiting the translation.

Insight into the effect mechanism of urea-induced protein denaturation by dielectric spectroscopy.

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was applied to study how urea affects the phase transition of a thermosensitive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which has been widely used as a protein model. It was found that there is a pronounced relaxation near 10 GHz for the ternary system of PNIPAM in urea aqueous solution. The temperature dependence of dielectric parameters indicates that urea can reduce the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, i.

Amorphous silica nanoparticles induce malignant transformation and tumorigenesis of human lung epithelial cells via P53 signaling.

Rapid development and deployment of engineered nanomaterials, such as amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in various commercial and biomedical applications have raised concerns about their potential adverse health effects, especially their chronic effects which have not been well addressed. In this study, human lung epithelial cells, BEAS-2B were continuously exposed to amorphous SiNPs, 5 μg/mL for 40 passages. We demonstrated here that prolonged exposure of BEAS-2B cells to amorphous SiNPs induced malignant transformation as indicated by enhanced cellular proliferation, anchorage-independent cell growth, and increased cell migration.

Silica nanoparticle exposure inducing granulosa cell apoptosis and follicular atresia in female Balb/c mice.

Given that the effects of ultrafine fractions (< 0.1 μm) on reproductive diseases are gaining attention, this study aimed to explore the influence of silica nanoparticle (SiNP)-induced female reproductive dysfunction. In this study, 80 female mice were randomly divided into four groups including a control group and three concentrations of SiNP groups (7, 21, 35 mg/kg).