Modulatory Effects of XIAOPI Formula on CXCL1 and Selected Outcomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive malignancy. Psychological distress and elevated CXCL1 level have been reported to be closely associated with the poor prognosis and quality of life of patients with TNBC. In preclinical studies using xenograft mouse models, XIAOPI formula, a nationally approved drug prescribed to patients at high risk for breast cancer, inhibited CXCL1 expression and improved survival.

Exploring functional genes' correlation with ()-equol concentration and new daidzein racemase identification.

Unlabelled: With its estrogenic activity, ()-equol plays an important role in maintaining host health and preventing estrogen-related diseases. Exclusive production occurs through the transformation of soy isoflavones by intestinal bacteria, but the reasons for variations in ()-equol production among different individuals and species remain unclear. Here, fecal samples from humans, pigs, chickens, mice, and rats were used as research objects.

Process of Forensic Medicine in DNA Identification of Aged Human Remains.

Skeleton and teeth are important biological samples. Due to their special structure and strong ability to resist degradation, they are ideal biological materials to retain DNA under natural condition. In many cases, such as historical figure identification, aged skeleton and teeth are usually the only biological samples.

Rapid genotyping of 32 insertion/deletion panel for human identification using fluorogenic probes-based multiplex real-time PCR.

Background: Insertion and deletion (InDel) polymorphisms have considerable potential in the field of forensic genetics because of their low mutation rate and small amplicons. At present, InDel polymorphisms detection based on the technique of capillary electrophoresis is the main technique used in forensic DNA laboratory. However, this method is complicated and time-consuming, and is not suitable for rapid on-site paternity and personal identification.

Neutralization sensitivity, fusogenicity, and infectivity of Omicron subvariants.

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants has raised questions regarding resistance to immunity by natural infection or immunization. We examined the sensitivity of Delta and Omicron subvariants (BA.1, BA.

Optimization and performance evaluation of double-stranded probe in real-time PCR.

Background: TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR (qPCR/RT-qPCR) has been widely used in various fields because of its high sensitivity and specificity. However, TaqMan probes are associated with a relatively higher background signal, and hence negatively affect the detection results.

Methods: Double-stranded probes (DSPs) were designed for the high sensitive detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA using qPCR/RT-qPCR.

Genetic polymorphisms of 66 InDel loci in the Chinese Han population.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism (InDel) genetic markers refer to insertion or deletion of DNA fragments into genomic DNA, which have advantages in the identification of degraded samples. In this study, we independently screened 66 highly polymorphic InDel markers from the dbSNP database to establish a multiplex PCR system for forensic DNA identification using next-generation sequencing system (66-plex InDels). We assessed the population genetic data among 251 Chinese Han population using this system and evaluated their potential forensic application.

Immune Dysfunctions of CD56 NK Cells Are Associated With HIV-1 Disease Progression.

Background: Populations of natural killer cells lacking CD56 expression [CD56 natural killer (NK) cells] have been demonstrated to expand during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. However, their phenotypic and functional characteristics have not been systematically analyzed, and their roles during disease progression remain poorly understood.

Methods: In this study, 84 donors, namely 34 treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected patients (TNs), 29 HIV-1-infected patients with successful antiretroviral therapy (ARTs), and 21 healthy controls (HCs), were enrolled.

Forensic nanopore sequencing of STRs and SNPs using Verogen's ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit and MinION.

The MinION nanopore sequencing device (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Oxford, UK) is the smallest commercially available sequencer and can be used outside of conventional laboratories. The use of the MinION for forensic applications, however, is hindered by the high error rate of nanopore sequencing. One approach to solving this problem is to identify forensic genetic markers that can consistently be typed correctly based on nanopore sequencing.

A network pharmacology-based study on key pharmacological pathways and targets of Qi Fu Yin acting on Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. Qi Fu Yin is mainly used to treat dementia, particularly AD, in the clinic, but its comprehensive mechanisms are not known.

Objective: In this research, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Qi Fu Yin in AD by network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Positive effects of dietary supplementation of three probiotics on milk yield, milk composition and intestinal flora in Sannan dairy goats varied in kind of probiotics.

In this study, we investigated the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Enterococcus faecalis (EF), singly and in combination, on the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, and faecal microflora of Saanen dairy goats. Fifty goats were randomly divided into five groups: (a) basal diet (control); (b) basal diet + SC; (c) basal diet + BS; (d) basal diet + EF; and (e) basal diet + mixed probiotics. Each treated animal received 5 g/d of probiotics for a total administration of 5 × 1,011 CFU/goat per day.

Synthesis and Antisense Properties of 2'β-F-Arabinouridine Modified Oligonucleotides with 4'--OMe Substituent.

A novel 2'-F,4'--OMe⁻arabinouridine (araU) was successfully synthesized and introduced into oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotide containing 2'-F,4'--OMe⁻araU exhibited improved nuclease resistance and RNA hybridizing selective ability relative to 2'-F⁻araU. In particular, when 2'-F,4'--OMe⁻araU inserted into C⁻H⋯F⁻C bonding-favorable 5'⁻uridine⁻purine⁻3' steps, the modified oligonucleotide showed remarkable binding affinity and selectivity to RNA complements.

Syntheses and structure-activity relationships on antibacterial and anti-ulcerative colitis properties of quaternary 13-substituted palmatines and 8-oxo-13-substituted dihydropalmatines.

In this study, quaternary palmatine is used as a lead compound to design and synthesize derivatives to evaluate bioactivities, with twenty-seven compounds of four series being obtained. Antibacterial activity was examined by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, three series of derivatives being found to exhibit activity in vitro with significant structure-activity relationship (SAR). Elongating the carbon chain led to the antibacterial activity increased, with quaternary 13-hexanoylpalmatine chloride, quaternary 13-(ω-ethoxycarbonyl)heptylpalmatine chloride, and 8-oxo-13-(N-n-nonyl)aminomethyldihydropalmatine, all of which possess the longest aliphatic carbon chain in the corresponding series of derivatives, showing the MIC values of 62.

A 472-SNP panel for pairwise kinship testing of second-degree relatives.

Kinship testing based on genetic markers, as forensic short tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), has valuable practical applications. Paternity and first-degree relationship can be accurately identified by current commonly-used forensic STRs and reported SNP markers. However, second-degree and more distant relationships remain challenging.

Delivery System Targeting Hemagglutinin of Influenza Virus A to Facilitate Antisense-Based Anti-H1N1 Therapy.

Antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) are therapeutic molecules that hybridize to complementary target mRNA sequences. To further overcome the poor cellular uptake of ODNs, we proposed a novel strategy to deliver ODNs by conjugating the anti-influenza A virus (IAV) ODN with a peptide showing high affinity to the hemagglutinin (HA) on the surface of IAV particles or the IAV-infected host cells. The HA-specific binding peptides were selected by phage display, and the individual binding clones are characterized by DNA sequencing, and the selected phage was further assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Intra-host dynamics of Ebola virus during 2014.

Since 2013, West Africa has encountered the largest Ebola virus (EBOV) disease outbreak on record, and Sierra Leone is the worst-affected country, with nearly half of the infections. By means of next-generation sequencing and phylogeographic analysis, the epidemiology and transmission of EBOV have been well elucidated. However, the intra-host dynamics that mainly reflect viral-host interactions still need to be studied.

Prediction of selective estrogen receptor beta agonist using open data and machine learning approach.

Background: Estrogen receptors (ERs) are nuclear transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of many complex physiological processes in humans. ERs have been validated as important drug targets for the treatment of various diseases, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. ERs have two subtypes, ER-α and ER-β.

[Synthesis and antisense properties of 2’β-F- and 2’α-F-2’-deoxy-uridines modified oligonucleotides with 4’-C-(2-methoxyethoxy) substituent].

Chemical modification is critical for the therapeutic applications of antisense oligonucleotides. Novel 4’-C-MOE and 2’-fluoro- modified monomer 2’-F-4’-C-MOE-ara U and its epimeric 2’-F-4’-C-MOE-r U were synthesized from 2’-fluorinated arabinourine (2’-F-ara U) and 2’-fluorouridine(2’-F-r U), respectively. Their phosphoramidites were synthesized and successfully incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides.

Hundred top-cited articles focusing on acute kidney injury: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major global health issue, associated with poor short-term and long-term outcomes. Research on AKI is increasing with numerous articles published. However, the quantity and quality of research production in the field of AKI is unclear.

Protective effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus in vivo.

Influenza A virus infection represents a great threat to public health. However, owing to side effects and the emergence of resistant virus strains, the use of currently available anti-influenza drugs may be limited. In order to identify novel anti-influenza drugs, we investigated the antiviral effects of phillyrin against influenza A virus infection in vivo.

Neuroendocrine immunomodulation network dysfunction in SAMP8 mice and PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice: potential mechanism underlying cognitive impairment.

Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 strain (SAMP8) and PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) mice are classic animal models of sporadic Alzheimer's disease and familial AD respectively. Our study showed that object recognition memory, spatial learning and memory, active and passive avoidance were deteriorated and neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) network was imbalance in SAMP8 and APP/PS1 mice. SAMP8 and APP/PS1 mice had their own specific phenotype of cognition, neuroendocrine, immune and NIM molecular network.

Exploring the efficacy of paternity and kinship testing based on single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are conventional genetic markers typically used for paternity and kinship testing. As supplementary markers of STRs, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have less discrimination power but broader applicability to degraded samples. The rapid improvement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiplex amplification technologies also make it possible now to simultaneously identify dozens or even hundreds of SNP loci in a single pool.

New application of an old drug: Antitumor activity and mechanisms of doxycycline in small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains one of the most aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis. The clinical outcome of SCLC patients has reached its plateau with the existing standard treatment and thus new therapies are urgently required. Accumulating evidences have indicated that doxycycline, a commonly used antibiotic, has antitumor activity against several malignancies.

Afatinib reverses multidrug resistance in ovarian cancer via dually inhibiting ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1.

ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. Herein, afatinib at nontoxic concentrations significantly reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR in ovarian cancer cells in vitro (p < 0.05).