HIV-1 gp120 Glycoprotein Interacting with Dendritic Cell-specific Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 3-grabbing Non-integrin (DC-SIGN) Down-Regulates Tight Junction Proteins to Disrupt the Blood Retinal Barrier and Increase Its Permeability.

Approximately 70% of HIV-1 infected patients acquire ocular opportunistic infections and manifest eye disorders during the course of their illness. The mechanisms by which pathogens invade the ocular site, however, are unclear. Under normal circumstances, vascular endothelium and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which possess a well developed tight junction complex, form the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) to prevent pathogen invasion.

GAD1 Encodes a Secreted Peptide That Regulates Grain Number, Grain Length, and Awn Development in Rice Domestication.

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) was domesticated from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), which typically displays fewer grains per panicle and longer grains than cultivated rice. In addition, wild rice has long awns, whereas cultivated rice has short awns or lacks them altogether. These changes represent critical events in rice domestication.

Boosting figures of merit of cavity plasmon resonance based refractive index sensing in dielectric-metal core-shell resonators.

We theoretically investigate the sensing performance of the dielectric-metal core-shell resonators (DMCSRs) that support multipolar sharp magnetic and electric-based cavity plasmon resonances. We show that at the cavity resonances the ability of the DMCSRs to strongly confine the optical fields inside the cavity is robust against the existence of nano-openings in the metal shell layer. As a result, both the perfect DMCSRs having a complete metal shell layer and the non-perfect DMCSRs with nano-openings in the metal shell layers exhibit high refractive index sensitivities of 700 ~1200 nm/RIU.

Therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Objective: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) hold substantial promise for the treatment of ischemic neurological disease, but few clinical data are currently available about its therapeutic effects in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This study is to evaluate the effects of hUC-MSCs transplantation on patients with HIE. Methods A total 22 patients with HIEwere randomly divided into hUC-MSCs transplantation group (n = 12) and control group (n = 10).

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on memory impairment in a diabetic rat model.

Objective: Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) are active constituents of Astragalus membranaceus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of APS on memory impairment in a diabetic rat model and their mechanisms.

Methods: A diabetic model was established in 50 male Wistar rats with streptozotocin intra-peritoneal injection.

Poly(1,3-propylene sebacate) and Poly(sebacoyl diglyceride): A Pair of Potential Polymers for the Proliferation and Differentiation of Retinal Progenitor Cells.

Using suitable polymers as a carrier for growing and delivering retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy in retinal cell-replacement therapy. Herein recently developed polymer, poly(sebacoyl diglyceride) (PSeD), is selected and its nonhydroxylized counterpart poly(1,3-propylene sebacate) (PPS) is designed to evaluate their potentials for RPC growth and future RPC application. The structures and mechanical properties of the polymers are characterized.

Genomic structure analysis of a set of Oryza nivara introgression lines and identification of yield-associated QTLs using whole-genome resequencing.

Oryza nivara, an annual wild AA-genome species of rice, is an important gene pool for broadening the genetic diversity of cultivated rice (O. sativa L.).

IL-17A Exacerbates Fibrosis by Promoting the Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Function of Orbital Fibroblasts in TAO.

Context: The development of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is associated with self-immune dysfunction. Recent findings in TAO and Graves' disease indicate that IL-17A may also be involved in the autoimmunity of TAO.

Objective: We sought to investigate the pathogenic function of IL-17A-producing T cells in TAO.

RETRACTED: Electrical Stimulation for Hemiplegic Shoulder Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 15 Randomized Controlled Trials.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

Excitation and tuning of Fano-like cavity plasmon resonances in dielectric-metal core-shell resonators.

Fano resonances have been realized in plasmonic systems and have found intriguing applications, in which, however, precisely controlled symmetry breaking or particular arrangement of multiple constituents is usually involved. Although simple core-shell type architectures composed of a spherical dielectric core and a concentric metallic shell layer have been proposed as good candidates that support inherent Fano resonances, these theoretical predictions have rarely seen any detailed experimental investigation. Here, we report on the experimental investigation of the magnetic and electric-based multipolar plasmonic Fano resonances in the dielectric-metal core-shell resonators that are formed by wrapping a nearly perfect metal shell layer around a dielectric sphere.

Electrospun silk fibroin/poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Background: Tissue engineering has become a promising therapeutic approach for bone regeneration. Nanofibrous scaffolds have attracted great interest mainly due to their structural similarity to natural extracellular matrix (ECM). Poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) has been successfully used in bone regeneration, but PLCL polymers are inert and lack natural cell recognition sites, and the surface of PLCL scaffold is hydrophobic.

Sequencing and characterization of the (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) mitochondrial genome.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Megachilinae) was determined in our study. The sequenced region is 15,193 bp with an A + T content of 83.44%, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs and 19 transfer RNAs.

Effects of cochlear implant surgical technique on post-operative electrode impedance.

Conclusions: The mCI surgical technique led to reduced impedance and minimized disturbance of the microenvironment inside the cochlea. Atraumatic surgical techniques and inflammation-reduction strategies may preserve the cochlear architecture and prevent fibrotic development.

Objectives: To assess the advantages of a modified minimal access technique in cochlear implantation as well as to investigate the effects of intra-operative application of inflammation reduction strategies on the intra-cochlear impedance.

Reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis during cancer treatment.

Reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can occur in patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) with risk factors including chronic disease (i.e., malignancy).

A review of the three-dimensional cell culture technique: Approaches, advantages and applications.

Cell culture is a core and basic technique in biotechnology and is widely applied in biology, medicine, drug research and development. Traditional two-dimensional cell culture methods have undergone great developments. However, with in-depth basic research, higher requirements are needed to better mimic the in vivo environment to accurately observe cell behavior and explore its mechanisms.

Predictors of Complete Response and Disease Recurrence Following Chemoradiation for Rectal Cancer.

Objective: Approximately 10-40% of rectal patients have a complete response (CR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), and these patients have improved survival. Thus, non-operative management ("watch-and-wait" approach) may be an option for select patients. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of CR following CRT.

Transcriptional profiling revealed the anti-proliferative effect of MFN2 deficiency and identified risk factors in lung adenocarcinoma.

Mitofusin-2 (MFN2) was initially identified as a hyperplasia suppressor in hyper-proliferative vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of hypertensive rat arteries, which has also been implicated in various cancers. There exists a controversy in whether it is an oncogene or exerting anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells. Our previous cell cycle analysis and MTT assay showed that cell proliferation was inhibited in MFN2 deficient A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells, without investigating the changes in regulatory network or addressing the underlying mechanisms.

Sequencing and characterization of the Megachile sculpturalis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) mitochondrial genome.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Megachile sculpturalis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) has been reported in this study. This is the first sequenced mitogenome from the family Megachilidae. The sequenced region of this mitochondrial genome is determined to be 16 581 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a partial sequence of the AT-rich region, and the AT-rich region contains several characteristic repeated sequences.

Independent Association of Circulating Level of Chemerin With Functional and Early Morphological Vascular Changes in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

There is growing evidence that chemerin, a novel adipokine elevated in obesity and metabolic syndromes, plays a crucial role in advanced atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the chemerin levels in diabetes and evaluate the effects of increased chemerin on early atherosclerosis.A total of 245 newly diagnosed diabetic patients and 148 age-matched, healthy, normal glucose tolerant (NGT) controls were enrolled.

Combined MSC-Secreted Factors and Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Promote Functional Recovery of PD Rats.

Stem cell transplantation has enormous potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted much attention because they can secrete a wide variety of cellular factors that promote cell growth. In this study, we prepared a conditioned medium (CM) using lyophilized MSC culture medium that contained the secretome of MSCs and applied this CM to the culture of neural stem cells (CM-NSCs) for the transplantation of PD model rats.

[Expressions of Maspin and Ki67 in extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma and the significance].

Objective: To analyze the expression of Maspin and Ki67 in EN-NK/TCL and the significance.

Method: The expressions of Maspin and Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 34 cases of EN-NK/TCL and 11 cases of chronic sinusitis.

Result: Maspin was low expressed in EN-NK/TCL, Ki67 was highly expressed in EN-NK/TCL.

The role of miR-135-modified adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in bone regeneration.

Tissue-engineering technology employing genetically-modified mesenchymal stem cells combined with proper scaffolds represents a promising strategy for bone regeneration. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms that govern the osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells will give deeper insights into the regulatory patterns, as well as provide more effective methods to enhance bone regeneration. In this study, miR-135 was identified as an osteogenesis-related microRNA that was up-regulated during the osteogenesis of rat adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).

Comparison of anal cancer outcomes in public and private hospital patients treated at a single radiation oncology center.

Objective: To compare clinical and treatment characteristics and outcomes in locally advanced anal cancer, a potentially curable disease, in patients referred from a public or private hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 112 anal cancer patients from a public and a private hospital who received definitive chemoradiotherapy at the same cancer center between 2004 and 2013. Tumor stage, radiotherapy delay, radiotherapy duration, and unplanned treatment breaks ≥10 days were compared using t-test and χ(2) test.

A regulatory loop containing miR-26a, GSK3β and C/EBPα regulates the osteogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for osteogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) will provide deeper insights into the regulatory mechanisms of this process and help develop more efficient methods for cell-based therapies. In this study, we analysed the role of miR-26a in the regulation of hADSC osteogenesis. The endogenous expression of miR-26a increased during the osteogenic differentiation.