Pro-apoptotic effects of splice-switching oligonucleotides targeting Bcl-x pre-mRNA in human glioma cell lines.

Alternative splicing is a near-ubiquitous phenomenon with important roles in human diseases, including cancers. Splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) have emerged as a class of antisense therapeutics that modulate alternative splicing by hybridizing to the pre-mRNA splice site. The Bcl-x gene is alternatively spliced to express anti‑apoptotic Bcl-xL and pro-apoptotic Bcl-xS.

Next-generation sequencing yields the complete mitochondrial genome of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus.

Fundulus heteroclitus (Actinopteri, Cyprinodontiformes, Fundulidae), with a remarkable tolerance to osmotic stress and water temperatures, are regarded as a significant evolution model. Herein, we report the assembled complete sequence of the mummichog mitochondrial genome based on the next-generation sequencing data. The mitogenome is determined to be 16 528 bp in length and shows an organization typical of vertebrate mitochondrial genomes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (D-loop).

Anti-angiogenic activities of CRBGP from buccal glands of lampreys (Lampetra japonica).

Cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), characterized by 16 conserved cysteines, are distributed in a wide range of organisms, such as secernenteas, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. In the previous studies, a novel CRISP family member (cysteine-rich buccal gland protein, CRBGP) was separated from the buccal gland of lampreys (Lampetra japonica, L. japonica).

[Genetic basis of immune response of lymphocyte-like cells in the mucosal immune system of Lampetra japonica].

In recent years, the antigen recognition mechanism based on variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) was found in agnathan lamprey. To illuminate the genetic basis of immune response of lymphocyte-like cells in the mucosal immune system of lamprey and explore the evolutionary relationship of adaptive immune responses between the jawless and jawed vertebrates, we constructed cDNA libraries of lamprey (Lampetra japonica) gills before and after stimulation, and then performed high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and analysis. Through functional annotation of 88 525 assembled unigenes, 21 704 and 9769 unigenes were annotated in Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, respectively.

Cell secretion from the adult lamprey supraneural body tissues possesses cytocidal activity against tumor cells.

The supraneural body was identified in the adult lamprey, and its secretions induced the death of a variety of tumor cells but had no effect on normal cells. The cell secretions from different lamprey tissues were separated, and these secretions killed human tumor cells to varying degrees. The cell secretions induced remarkable cell morphological alterations such as cell blebbing, and the plasma membrane was destroyed by the secretions.

L-C1qDC-1, a novel C1q domain-containing protein from Lethenteron camtschaticum that is involved in the immune response.

The C1q domain-containing (C1qDC) proteins are a family of proteins characterized by a globular C1q (gC1q) domain at their C-terminus. These proteins are involved in various processes in vertebrates and are assumed to serve as important pattern recognition receptors in innate immunity in invertebrates. Here, a novel C1qDC protein from Lethenteron camtschaticum was identified and characterized (designated as L-C1qDC-1).

CFBSA: a novel and practical chlorinating reagent.

A structurally simple, highly reactive chlorinating reagent, N-chloro-N-fluorobenzenesulfonylamine (CFBSA), was conveniently prepared from inexpensive Chloramine B in high yield. A wide range of substrates were chlorinated with it to obtain products in good to high yields and appropriate selectivity.

A novel protein tyrosine kinase Tec identified in lamprey, Lampetra japonica.

Protein tyrosine kinase Tec, a kind of non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is primarily found to be expressed in T cells, B cells, hematopoietic cells, and liver cells as a cytoplasmic protein. Tec has been proved to be a critical modulator of T cell receptor signaling pathway. In the present study, a homolog of Tec was identified in the lamprey, Lampetra japonica.

Identification and characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase 9 from Lampetra japonica and its protective role against cytotoxicity.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), which oxidize aldehyde to corresponding acids, play a major role in the detoxification of various endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. In this study, we cloned and characterized ALDH9 (designated LjALDH9) from Arctic lamprey Lampetra japonica. The open reading frame of LjALDH9 was 1566 bp, encoding 521 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 55.

[The identification and verification of species-specific microRNAs and their precursors in Lampetra japonica].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate genes which are involved in various biological processes of metabolism at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In recent years, the existence and function of miRNAs have been extensively studied in plants and animals with the application of deep sequencing and microarray technology. In this study, small RNAs from leucocytes of Lampetra japonica (L.

Identification and characterization of the lamprey IRF gene.

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are named for their ability to bind to and regulate interferon genes when an organism becomes infected with a virus. Numerous studies have revealed the versatile and critical functions of IRFs. In this study, an IRF gene from Lampetra japonica was identified and analyzed using bioinformatic methods.

Molecular cloning, expression pattern, and molecular evolution of the spleen tyrosine kinase in lamprey, Lampetra japonica.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a member of Syk family of cytoplasmic non-receptor tyrosine kinases, is a key component of B cell receptor signaling and regulates multiple physiological functions of B lymphocytes in vertebrates. In the current study, a Syk homologue was identified in the lamprey Lampetra japonica (Lj-Syk). The cDNA fragment of Lj-Syk contains a 1953-bp open reading frame which encodes 651 amino acids, a 12-bp fragment of 5'-untranslated region, and a 1029-bp 3'-untranslated region.

[Voltage-gated sodium channels are involved in regulating the biological functions of microglial cells].

Microglial cells are widely distributed in the brain and spinal cord, and usually act as resident immune cells which could provide continuous monitoring roles within the central nervous system. When the cells in the central nervous system are injured, microglial cells are activated and induce a series of biological effects. Recently, several voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes were found to be expressed on the surface of the microglial cells which are able to participate in the regulation of the activation, phagocytosis, secretion of multiple cytokines/chemokines, migration, invasion of microglial cells, and etc.

[Molecular regulations of phosphatidylserine eversion in plasma membrane].

Phosphatidylserine (PS), one important phospholipid of cell membranes, has crucial biological functions. Under special pathological circumstances such as cell apoptosis, cells cannot generate enough ATP for energy and the concentration of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ increases, resulting in PS eversion. PS eversion has different biological functions in different cell types.

Large-strain, multiform movements from designable electrothermal actuators based on large highly anisotropic carbon nanotube sheets.

Many electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators use diverse configurations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as pliable electrodes to realize discontinuous, agile movements, for CNTs are conductive and flexible. However, the reported CNT-based EAP actuators could only accomplish simple, monotonous actions. Few actuators were extended to complex devices because efficiently preparing a large-area CNT electrode was difficult, and complex electrode design has not been carried out.

Cross-sectional study of the association of cognitive function and hippocampal volume among healthy elderly adults.

Background: Cognitive impairment and dementia among elderly adults is a pressing public health issue in China but research on biomarkers of cognitive decline has been limited.

Aim: Explore the relationship between multiple domains of cognitive functioning and the volume of the left and right hippocampus in healthy elderly adults.

Methods: Structural MRI scanning was performed on 65 community-dwelling healthy participants 65 to 75 years of age using the Siemens 3.

Preparation, identfication, and activity assay of lamprey (lampetra japonica) natural intelectins.

Intelectins play an important role in innate immune response. In a previous study, lamprey inteletins purified by galactose-Sepharose were inactive and insoluble. Herein, we provided a simple and effective method to purify natural intelectins from the serum of lamprey (Lethenteron japonicum) using proteinG agarose.

A functional MiR-124 binding-site polymorphism in IQGAP1 affects human cognitive performance.

As a product of the unique evolution of the human brain, human cognitive performance is largely a collection of heritable traits. Rather surprisingly, to date there have been no reported cases to highlight genes that underwent adaptive evolution in humans and which carry polymorphisms that have a marked effect on cognitive performance. IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), a scaffold protein, affects learning and memory in a dose-dependent manner.

[Progress in sodium channelopathies and biological functions of voltage-gated sodium channel blockers].

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), which are widely distributed in the excitable cells, are the primary mediators of electrical signal amplification and propagation. They play important roles in the excitative conduction of the neurons and cardiac muscle cells. The abnormalities of the structures and functions of VGSCs can change the excitability of the cells, resulting in a variety of diseases such as neuropathic pain, epilepsy and arrhythmia.

CD109 is a potential target for triple-negative breast cancer.

The aim of this study is to explore the expression of CD109 in breast cancer stem cells and the relationship between CD109 protein and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. CD44+/CD24- tumor cells (CSCs) were selected by flow cytometry. The protein expression of CD109 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining, and the relationship between CD109 and clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer was determined.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-18, -23 and -17 in Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aims: To evaluate the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-18, IL-23 and IL-17 in Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and explore correlations between the three cytokines and relevant parameters.

Methods: Serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-23 and IL-17 were measured by ELISA for 53 AD patients and 53 sex- and age-matched healthy controls in a community of elderly individuals in a Shanghai suburb.

Results: Serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-23 and IL-17 were significantly higher in AD patients than controls.

Construction of recombinant adenovirus vector containing hBMP2 and hVEGF165 genes and its expression in rabbit Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

To construct an adenovirus vector co-expressing human bone morphogenetic protein (hBMP2) and human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF165) as well as green fluorescence protein (GFP) as a marker, with which the intracellular expression of the inserted genes could be identified in Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). BMP2 and VEGF165 genes were PCR amplified from a cDNA library and inserted to the polyclonal site of adenovirus shuttle plasmid pAd-MCMV-GFP. The virus solution (Ad-BMP2-VEGF165) was generated by co-transfecting HEK293 cells with the constructed recombinant shuttle plasmid pAd-MCMV-BMP2-VEGF165 and adenovirus helper plasmid pBHGloxΔ (delta) E1, 3Cre.

Cryoablation plus chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases.

Cryoablation and surgery achieve similar removal rates for some colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis removal, and systemic chemotherapy is accepted as the most important approach to improving overall survival (OS) in CRC patients with liver metastases. We aimed to evaluate the potential benefit of cryoablation plus chemotherapy in CRC patients with liver metastases. We retrospectively analyze 63 patients of CRC liver metastasis.