Hyperleptinemia directly affects testicular maturation at different sexual stages in mice, and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 is involved in this process.

Background: Leptin plays an important role in reproductive function, and the mechanism of this phenomenon primarily focuses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. However, until now, the direct effects of leptin on the testes during development from infancy to adulthood remained unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects and molecular mechanisms that underlie leptin's action in the testes during sexual maturation.

IL-23 selectively promotes the metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells with impaired Socs3 expression via the STAT5 pathway.

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a conventional proinflammatory IL related to colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and suppressors of cytokine signaling (Socs) molecules, respectively, serve as agonists and antagonists of IL-23-associated inflammation. However, it remains unknown whether IL-23 directly affects CRC metastasis.

Triapine disrupts CtIP-mediated homologous recombination repair and sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to PARP and topoisomerase inhibitors.

Unlabelled: PARP inhibitors exploit synthetic lethality to target epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with hereditary BRCA mutations and defects in homologous recombination repair (HRR). However, such an approach is limited to a small subset of EOC patients and compromised by restored HRR due to secondary mutations in BRCA genes. Here, it was demonstrated that triapine, a small-molecule inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, enhances the sensitivity of BRCA wild-type EOC cells to the PARP inhibitor olaparib and the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide.

The CUL7/F-box and WD repeat domain containing 8 (CUL7/Fbxw8) ubiquitin ligase promotes degradation of hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1.

HPK1, a member of mammalian Ste20-like serine/threonine kinases, is lost in >95% pancreatic cancer through proteasome-mediated degradation. However, the mechanism of HPK1 loss has not been defined. The aims of this study are to identify the ubiquitin ligase and to examine the mechanisms that targets HPK1 degradation.

Butterfly-like enantiomerically homochiral {Co(II)6Co(III)4} clusters exhibiting both slow magnetic relaxation and ferroelectric property.

A pair of enantiomerically homochiral {Co(II)6Co(III)4} clusters featuring a butterfly-like structure, [Co(II)6Co(III)4(μ3-OH)(μ3-X)(S-pa)4(pdm)6(pdmH)2](ClO4)4·3.5H2O (S-1) and [Co(II)6Co(III)4(μ3-OH)(μ3-X)(R-pa)4(pdm)6(pdmH)2](ClO4)4·3.5H2O (R-1) (X = OH or OMe, S- or R-paH = S- or R-phenylalaninol and pdmH2 = pyridine-2,6-diyldimethanol), have been synthesized and structurally characterized.

Molecular epidemiologic characterization of a clustering HCV infection caused by inappropriate medical care in Heyuan City of Guangdong, China.

Background: From November 2011 to January 2012, a number of clustering cases of HCV infection were reported in Zijin County, Heyuan City, Guangdong, China. Most patients in the clustering cases suspected that they could be infected due to inappropriate medical care in the clinic located at the Xiangshui road. However, the molecular epidemiology of the clustering cases remains unknown.

Dyskerin localizes to the mitotic apparatus and is required for orderly mitosis in human cells.

Dyskerin is a highly conserved, nucleolar RNA-binding protein with established roles in small nuclear ribonucleoprotein biogenesis, telomerase and telomere maintenance and precursor rRNA processing. Telomerase is functional during S phase and the bulk of rRNA maturation occurs during G1 and S phases; both processes are inactivated during mitosis. Yet, we show that during the course of cell cycle progression, human dyskerin expression peaks during G2/M in parallel with the upregulation of pro-mitotic factors.

Structural, evolutionary and functional analysis of APN genes in the Lepidoptera Bombyx mori.

Aminopeptidases N (APNs), the receptors of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin in the lepidopteran midgut, are involved in the Bt pathogen infection mechanism. In the present work, we screened 102 APNs from SilkDB, ButterflyBase and MonarchBase; 16 APNs were identified from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and 24 from the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Syntenic and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that APN genes have developed multi-family genes before evolutionary divergence of the Lepidoptera.

New microbiota found in sputum from patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major concern in hospitals and the bacterial community of which has not been systemically discussed yet. Sputum from patients in the acute stages is a kind of accessible sample reflecting its features. In our study, we analyzed 45 sputum samples from 45 patients with CAP.

[Clinical significance of changes in T wave and ST segment amplitudes on electrocardiogram from supine to standing position among children with unexplained chest tightness or pain in resting stage].

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of changes in T wave and ST segment amplitudes on electrocardiogram (ECG) from supine to standing position in children with unexplained chest tightness or pain in resting stage.

Methods: A total of 122 6-14-year-old children with a chief complaint of unexplained chest tightness or pain (resting stage) underwent head-up tilt test (HUTT). According to HUTT results, these children were divided into HUTT-positive (n=61) and HUTT-negative groups (n=61).

Forkhead box protein 3 in human nasal polyp regulatory T cells is regulated by the protein suppressor of cytokine signaling 3.

Background: In patients with persistent upper airway inflammation, the number of forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells is reduced, but the regulation of Foxp3 expression in Treg cells is poorly understood.

Objective: We investigated the interaction between suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and Foxp3 expression in the airway mucosa.

Methods: Expression of SOCS3 and Foxp3 was measured in tissue from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and control tissue.

In vivo synthesis of calcium oxalate whiskers on CoCrMo alloy surfaces via biomineralization.

Surface treatments using bio-technology are valuable and fascinating in the sense that such treatments are natural and yield good biocompatibility. Calcium oxalate whiskers for biomedical applications were successfully synthesized on the CoCrMo alloy surfaces implanted in Aloe leaves which consist of many active bio-chemical elements. The effect of surface wettability and surface morphology on the formation of whiskers was investigated using four differently treated CoCrMo surfaces: (i) smoothly polished surface, (ii) electrochemical etched surface, (ii) textured surface with dimples, and (iv) parallel orientated-grooved surface.

The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II.

Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly adapted Chinese version of an instrument designed to measure structural empowerment among staff nurses.

Background: Structural empowerment has been shown to be important to nurses in Western cultures, but its importance in China is unknown.

Methods: A convenience sample of 650 staff nurses was selected from six hospitals in Harbin, China.

[Investigation of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring for evaluating treatment outcome of nerve-mediated syncope in children].

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for evaluating the treatment outcome of nerve-mediated syncope (NMS) in children.

Methods: Twenty-eight children with NMS confirmed by a head-up tilt table test (HUTT) (12 males and 16 females, aged 6-13 years) and with a chief complaint of unexplained syncope or pre-syncope between February 2010 and August 2012, were included in the study. These children received health education combined with therapy using oral rehydration salts solution and were then reexamined for clinical symptoms as well as HUTT and ABPM results.

A randomized trial comparing the rate of hypoglycemia--assessed using continuous glucose monitoring--in 125 preschool children with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin glargine or NPH insulin (the PRESCHOOL study).

Background: Avoidance of hypoglycemia is a key consideration in treating young children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Key Objective: To evaluate hypoglycemia with insulin glargine vs. neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin in young children, using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

The transport mechanisms of polymer nanoparticles in Caco-2 epithelial cells.

As the primary physiological barrier, intestinal epithelial cells regulate the transportation of oral therapeutic agents including nanomedicines which significantly improves the bioavailability of many drugs. However, currently there seems in the lack of comprehensive understanding on nanoparticle transport in intestinal epithelial cells as well as the mechanisms related. So, in an attempt to illustrate the profile of nanoparticle transport in intestinal epithelial cells, Caco-2 cells and polymer nanoparticles (PNs) were used as the models to explore the whole transport process including endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, exocytosis and transcytosis.

Amino acid substitution in the active site of DNA polymerase β explains the energy barrier of the nucleotidyl transfer reaction.

DNA polymerase β (pol β) is a bifunctional enzyme widely studied for its roles in base excision DNA repair, where one key function is gap-filling DNA synthesis. In spite of significant progress in recent years, the atomic level mechanism of the DNA synthesis reaction has remained poorly understood. Based on crystal structures of pol β in complex with its substrates and theoretical considerations of amino acids and metals in the active site, we have proposed that a nearby carboxylate group of Asp256 enables the reaction by accepting a proton from the primer O3'group, thus activating O3'as the nucleophile in the reaction path.

Investigation of in vivo metabolic profile of Abelmoschus Manihot based on pattern recognition analysis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. var.

Adding once-daily lixisenatide for type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by established basal insulin: a 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled comparison (GetGoal-L).

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of adding the once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) lixisenatide to established basal insulin therapy alone or together with metformin, in people with type 2 diabetes and elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. Patients (n = 495) with established basal insulin therapy but inadequate glycemic control were randomized to add lixisenatide 20 μg or placebo for 24 weeks.

Adding once-daily lixisenatide for type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with newly initiated and continuously titrated basal insulin glargine: a 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled study (GetGoal-Duo 1).

Objective: When oral therapy for type 2 diabetes is ineffective, adding basal insulin improves glycemic control. However, when glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) remains elevated because of postprandial hyperglycemia, the next therapeutic step is controversial. We examined the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide in patients with HbA1c still elevated after initiation of insulin glargine.

Morusin inhibits human cervical cancer stem cell growth and migration through attenuation of NF-κB activity and apoptosis induction.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be responsible for tumor metastasis, recurrence, and high mortality of cancer patients due to their high tumorigenicity resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. Morusin possesses anti-cancer activity through attenuation of NF-κB activity, which is up-regulated in cancer stem cells. The purpose of this study is to confirm the growth and migration inhibition effect of morusin on human cervical CSCs, and to clarify its partial mechanism of activity.

Identification of a midgut-specific promoter in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

The midgut is an important organ for digestion and absorption of nutrients and immune defense in the silkworm Bombyx mori. In an attempt to create a tool for midgut research, we cloned the 1080 bp P2 promoter sequence (P2P) of a highly expressed midgut-specific gene in the silkworm. The transgenic line (P2) was generated via embryo microinjection, in which the expression of EGFP was driven by P2P.

Evidence from genome-wide simple sequence repeat markers for a polyphyletic origin and secondary centers of genetic diversity of Brassica juncea in China and India.

The oilseed Brassica juncea is an important crop with a long history of cultivation in India and China. Previous studies have suggested a polyphyletic origin of B. juncea and more than one migration from the primary to secondary centers of diversity.

A transgenic animal with antiviral properties that might inhibit multiple stages of infection.

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is the primary pathogen of silkworms, causing severe economic losses in sericulture. To create antiviral silkworm strains, we constructed a transgenic vector in which the dsRNA for five tandem BmNPV genes was controlled by the BmNPV hr3 enhancer and IE1 promoter. The antivirus gene Bmlipase-1 was driven by B.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment of 89 patients with head-up tilt table test induced syncope with convulsion].

Objective: To study the clinical features and intervention strategies of head-up tilt table test (HUTT) induced syncope triggering convulsion.

Methods: HUTT was performed in 2377 cases (male 1116 cases and female 1261 cases) with syncope, dizziness, headache, chest tightness at Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from September 2000 to August 2011. They were 2.