Large scale maximum average power multiple inference on time-course count data with application to RNA-seq analysis.

Experiments that longitudinally collect RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data can provide transformative insights in biology research by revealing the dynamic patterns of genes. Such experiments create a great demand for new analytic approaches to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes based on large-scale time-course count data. Existing methods, however, are suboptimal with respect to power and may lack theoretical justification.

Microbial Mechanistic Insights into the Role of Sweet Potato Vine on Improving Health in Chinese Meishan Gilt Model.

This study explored the impact of fresh sweet potato vine on the growth as well as the metabolites and colon microbial composition in Chinese Meishan gilt. Twenty Meishan gilts (body weight 30 ± 0.18 kg, n = 10 per treatment) were randomly assigned to a control (CON) or sweet potato vine (SPV) supplementation diet treatment.

Effect of microscopically assisted decompression with micro-hook scalpel in the surgical treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of microscopically assisted decompression using a micro-hook scalpel on ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods: Sixty-one patients with OPLL were divided into Group A (posterior surgery with laminectomy of the responsible segment and lateral mass screw fixation) and Group B (anterior cervical corpectomy with intervertebral titanium cage fusion). Neurological function was assessed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and recovery rate.

FuFangChangTai Decoction Activates Macrophages via Inducing Autophagy.

The traditional Chinese medicine decoction FuFangChangTai (FFCT) has been used in the therapy of colon cancer clinically, yielding alleviated toxicity and enhanced immunity. In our previous study, FFCT exerted its antitumor activity not only by inducing apoptosis but also by activating autophagy to eliminate tumor cells. However, its mechanism is not well understood.

Effects of the Ratio of Insoluble Fiber to Soluble Fiber in Gestation Diets on Sow Performance and Offspring Intestinal Development.

To investigate the effects of the ratio of insoluble fiber to soluble fiber (ISF:SF) on sow performance and piglet intestinal development, we randomly assigned 64 gilts to four treatments comprising diets with the same level of dietary fiber, but different ISF:SF values of 3.89 (T1), 5.59 (T2), 9.

Clinicopathological Significance of Mutation in Colorectal Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Numerous studies have identified mutation as a predictive factor of anti-EGFR antibodies in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the association between mutation and clinicopathological features remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to conduct an updated and comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the above issues.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum addition to sows in late gestation and lactation on reproductive performance and intestinal microbiota1.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum addition to diets in late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance and gut microbiota for sows. A total of 180 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows at 90 d of gestation were randomly assigned to one of four groups, with 45 replicates per group, receiving a basal commercial diet (Control, 0% C. butyricum) or diet added with 0.

Preparation of PVA/tetra-ZnO composite with framework-supported pore-channel structure and the removal research of lead ions.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filled with different kinds of ZnO whisker was prepared by chemical cross-linking reaction. It was found that the ZnO whiskers dispersed uniformly after being modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The PVA/tetrapod-shaped ZnO (PVA/tetra-ZnO) composites showed better adsorption performance than other kinds of PVA/ZnO composites.

Effect of Sweet Potato Vine on the Onset of Puberty and Follicle Development in Chinese Meishan Gilts.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sweet potato vine on the onset of puberty and the follicular development in the ovaries of Chinese Meishan gilts. A total of 20 Meishan gilts (initial body weight at 30 ± 0.18 kg) were randomly fed a control (CON) or sweet potato vine (SPV) supplemented diet until 19 days following the third estrous.

Determination and distribution of pesticides and antibiotics in agricultural soils from northern China.

Different types of soil samples from a typical farmland in northern China were collected and evaluated for the presence of the pesticides and antibiotics. 47 pesticides were extracted with a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) preparation method and cleanup with 50 mg C, while 10 antibiotics were extracted with methanol/EDTA-McIlvaine buffer solution (v/v = 1/1), then both of them were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). Total concentrations of the 47 pesticides in the soil samples ranged from not detectable (ND) to 3.

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis.

Enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can lead to substantial health benefits. Comparisons between high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on CRF for children and adolescents are inconsistent and inconclusive. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to compare the effects between HIIT and MICT on CRF in children and adolescents.

Analysis of the value and correlation of IGF-1 with GH and IGFBP-3 in the diagnosis of dwarfism.

Correlation between the value of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the diagnosis of dwarfism and the levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) was investigated. From April 2014 to June 2017, 122 children with dwarfism who were treated in The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University were selected as the experimental group, and 51 normal children as the control group.

BRD4 promotes the stemness of gastric cancer cells via attenuating miR-216a-3p-mediated inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein BRD4 is emerging as a potential target for cancer therapy. However, BRD4 roles in regulating the stemness of gastric cancer cells are unclear. Here, we demonstrated that BRD4 expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues, cell spheroids, and BRD4 knockdown attenuated the stemness of gastric cancer cells characterized as the decrease of stemness markers expression, capacity of cells spheroids formation and ALDH1 activity.

A novel method for the preparation of solvent-free, microwave-assisted and nitrogen-doped carbon dots as fluorescent probes for chromium(vi) detection and bioimaging.

Chromium(vi) [Cr(vi)] has been shown to be toxic to organisms due to its mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Therefore, the exploitation of probes with low toxicity and high sensitivity for Cr(vi) detection is needed. In this study, a one-step, solvent-free, and microwave-assisted method was developed for the preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs).

Au@Cu Nanoarrays with Uniform Long-Range Ordered Structure: Synthesis and SERS Applications.

The nanostructures with uniform long-range ordered structure are of crucial importance for performance standardization of high-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra. In this paper, we described the fabrication and SERS properties of Au decorated Cu (Au@Cu) nanoarrays. The Cu nanoarrays with uniform long-range ordered structure were first synthesized by in-situ electrochemistry assembly on insulated substrate.

Nickel-Iron Dithiolato Hydrides Derived from H Activation by Their μ-Hydroxo Ligand-Containing Analogues.

Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of the two μ-hydrido models of [NiFe]Hases prepared from a new type of H activation by the corresponding two μ-hydroxo models. In addition, another μ-hydrido model prepared by the anionic exchange between one of the two μ-hydrido models and KPF is also reported. Interestingly, the synthesis of the two μ-hydrido models from H activation represents the first functional modeling of the H activation catalyzed by the [NiFe]Hase (Ni-SIr) state to give the Ni-R state.

HtrA1 suppresses the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by modulating Notch-1 expression.

Pancreatic cancer is well known to be the most deadly malignancy with the worst survival rate of all cancers. High temperature requirement factor A1 (HtrA1) plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation. This study aimed to explore the function of HtrA1 in pancreatic cancer cell growth and its underlying mechanism.

A recoverable dendritic polyamidoamine immobilized TEMPO for efficient catalytic oxidation of cellulose.

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of G1.0 and 2.0 were synthesized by the repeated Michael addition and ester aminolysis of ethylenediamine and methyl acrylate.

Understanding the drivers of sensitive behavior using Poisson regression from quantitative randomized response technique data.

Understanding sensitive behaviors-those that are socially unacceptable or non-compliant with rules or regulations-is essential for creating effective interventions. Sensitive behaviors are challenging to study, because participants are unlikely to disclose sensitive behaviors for fear of retribution or due to social undesirability. Methods for studying sensitive behavior include randomized response techniques, which provide anonymity to interviewees who answer sensitive questions.

Facile Electrodeposition of Ni-Cu-P Dendrite Nanotube Films with Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity and Durability.

Hydrogen can be the potential substitute energy carrier for fuel while electrolysis water with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an efficient way to produce hydrogen. Highly active and robust electrocatalysts composed by earth abundant elements are required. Herein, nickel-copper-phosphorus (Ni-Cu-P) electrocatalysts are designed and synthesized by a facile one-step electrodeposition method.

LncRNA THOR increases the stemness of gastric cancer cells via enhancing SOX9 mRNA stability.

This work aims to explore the roles and mechanisms of long non coding RNA (lncRNA) THOR in regulating the stemness of gastric cancer cells. RNA-sequencing combined with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated that lncRNA THOR level was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with that in normal adjacent tissues. Knockdown of THOR attenuated the stemnness of gastric cancer cells, evident by the decrease of stemness markers expression and capacity of cells spheroid formation.

Human papillomavirus in tonsillectomy specimen from China and Pakistan - Prevalence and genotype distribution.

Background: The expected corresponding increase in tonsillar human papillomavirus (HPV) infection associated with increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) substantiate the evaluation of normal tonsillar tissue in different population. The epidemiology of HPV in tonsillar tissue varies geographically. This study evaluated samples from two countries to determine the prevalence in respective samples.

AIE-active self-assemblies from a catalyst-free thiol-yne click reaction and their utilization for biological imaging.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) should be the most interest fluorescent phenomenon over the past few decades. The luminescence polymeric nanoparticles (LPNs) with AIE characteristic have attracted great research attention for biological imaging and many other biomedical applications owing to their good biocompatibility and negative toxicity. However, the preparation of LPNs with desirable optical properties using traditional organic dyes still remains a great challenge for the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect and aggregation of hydrophobic dyes in the core of LPNs.

The metal distribution and the change of physiological and biochemical process in soybean and mung bean plants under heavy metal stress.

Soybean [Glycine max (Linn.) Merrill] and mung bean [Vigna radiate (Linn.) Wilczek] plants were challenged with 5 kinds of heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg)] in a hydroponic system.

Roles of PIP2 in the membrane binding of MIM I-BAR: insights from molecular dynamics simulations.

In order to probe the roles of PIP2 in the interactions between MIM I-BAR and model membranes, we performed a series of 10 μs-scale coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Our results indicate that PIP2 plays predominant roles in the membrane binding of MIM I-BAR in a concentration-dependent manner and via electrostatic interactions. Besides, we find that the occurrence of the membrane curvature may induce the re-distribution of lipids in the membrane and result in the local enrichment of PIP2 at negatively curved membrane areas.