Response of salt stress resistance in highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) through phenylpropane metabolic pathway.

Highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) is a grain crop that grows on the plateau under poor and high salt conditions.

Enantioconvergent hydrolysis of racemic 1,2-epoxypentane and 1,2-epoxyhexane by an engineered Escherichia coli strain overexpressing a novel Streptomyces fradiae epoxide hydrolase.

In order to excavate microbial epoxide hydrolases (EHs) with desired catalytic properties, a novel EH, SfEH1, was identified based on the genome annotation of Streptomyces fradiae and sequence alignment analysis with local protein library. The SfEH1-encoding gene, sfeh1, was then cloned and over-expressed in soluble form in Escherichia coli/BL21(DE3). The optimal temperature and pH of recombinant SfEH1 (reSfEH1) and reSfEH1-expressing E.

Atorvastatin combined with dexamethasone in chronic subdural haematoma (ATOCH II): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common condition in the elderly that often requires neurosurgical management. For small CSDH, evidence has emerged that statins may reduce haematoma volume and improve outcomes, presumably by reducing local inflammation and promoting vascular repair. We wish to extend this evidence in a study that aims to determine the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin combined with low-dose dexamethasone in patients with CSDH.

Site-directed mutagenesis of the quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator SinR affects the biosynthesis of menaquinone in Bacillus subtilis.

Background: Menaquinone (MK-7) is a highly valuable vitamin K produced by Bacillus subtilis. Common static metabolic engineering approaches for promoting the production of MK-7 have been studied previously. However, these approaches caused an accumulation of toxic substances and reduced product yield.

[Value of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase combined with direct bilirubin in the diagnosis of biliary atresia in infants].

Objective: To study the value of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) combined with direct bilirubin (DB) in the diagnosis of biliary atresia.

Methods: A total of 667 infants with cholestasis who were hospitalized and treated from July 2010 to December 2018 were enrolled as subjects. According to the results of intraoperative cholangiography and follow-up, they were divided into biliary atresia group with 234 infants and cholestasis group with 433 infants.

Identification of antipsychotic drug fluspirilene as a potential anti-glioma stem cell drug.

Glioma stem cell (GSC)-targeted therapy is expected to be one of the most innovative approaches to treat patients with glioblastoma (GBM). A number of the drugs that restrain the signaling pathway essential for GSC maintenance have been under clinical trials. Here, we identified fluspirilene, a traditional antipsychotic drug, as a GSC-targeting agent, selected from thousands of existing drugs, and investigated its therapeutic effects against GBM with the purpose of drug repositioning.

Bioconversion of farnesol and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate to menaquinone by an immobilized whole-cell biocatalyst using engineered Elizabethkingia meningoseptica.

Menaquinone (MK) has important applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. To increase the production rate (Q) of MK-4, we developed a straightforward biotransformation method for MK-4 synthesis directly from its precursors 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate (DHNA) and farnesol using whole cells of genetically engineered Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Results showed that MK-4 can be produced directly from farnesol and DHNA using both free and immobilized FM-D198 cells.

Expression of TAG1/APP signaling pathway in the proliferation and differentiation of glioma stem cells.

The aim of the present study was to examine the role of the expression of transient axonal glycoprotein-1 (TAG1)/precursor protein (APP) signaling pathway in the proliferation and differentiation of glioma stem cells. A glioma cell line (U373) was used as well as fluorescence quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to examine the role of the expression of TAG1/APP signaling pathway in the proliferation and differentiation of glioma stem cells after five generations of culture. The results showed that compared to the normal glioma cells, the expression of TAG1 and APP was significantly increased in the proliferation of glioma stem cells.

Effect of ATorvastatin On Chronic subdural Hematoma (ATOCH): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease that is more prevalent in older people. Surgical intervention is a safe treatment of choice. However, the recurrence rate is relatively high and the outcome is not always satisfactory among surgically treated patients.

Blockage of potassium channel inhibits proliferation of glioma cells via increasing reactive oxygen species.

The potassium (K(+)) channel plays an important role in the cell cycle and proliferation of tumor cells, while its role in brain glioma cells and the signaling pathways remains unclear. We used tetraethylammonium (TEA), a nonselective antagonist of big conductance K(+) channels, to block K(+) channels in glioma cells, and antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) to inhibit production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). TEA showed an antiproliferation effect on C6 and U87 glioma cells in a time-dependent manner, which was accompanied by an increased intracellular ROS level.

Ligand-dependent EphB1 signaling suppresses glioma invasion and correlates with patient survival.

Background: Extensive evidence implicates the Eph receptor family of tyrosine kinases and its ligand, ephrin, in glioma invasion, but it remains incompletely understood how these receptors affect chemotactic behavior of glioma. We sought to identify the Eph family members that correlate with patients' survival and to reveal the function of Eph in glioma invasion.

Methods: Clinical relevance of EphB genes was confirmed in a clinically annotated expression data set of 195 brain biopsy specimens.

MicroRNA-195 protects against dementia induced by chronic brain hypoperfusion via its anti-amyloidogenic effect in rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic brain hypoperfusion (CBH) causes Aβ aggregation by upregulating expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) protein, which is accompanied by cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of microRNA on memory impairment in rats induced by CBH. We show here that CBH generated by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) significantly decreased the learning and memory ability in rats, as assessed by Morris water maze, and upregulated expression of APP and BACE1 proteins in the hippocampus and cortex of rats, as evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

[Epidemiological analysis for Quzhou pesticide poisoning of year 2008 to 2010].

Objective: To provide scientific evidence of making measures for prevention of pesticide poisoning, the investigation on the condition of pesticide poisoning was carried out in Quzhou.

Methods: Registration data of pesticide poisoning from 2008 to 2010 in Quzhou were collected and statistically analyzed by SPSS 12.0.

Increased expression of ABCB6 enhances protoporphyrin IX accumulation and photodynamic effect in human glioma.

Background: Glioma recurrence usually occurs close to the tumor resection margins as a result of residual infiltrating glioma cells. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) fluorescence-guided resection of gliomas has been demonstrated to enhance discrimination of tumor tissue and to improve survival. ALA-based photodynamic therapy is an effective albeit still experimental adjuvant treatment option for gliomas.

Expression change of PirB in mice retina after optic nerve injury.

The aim of this study was to observe the location of paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB) in the retina and to evaluate the expressive varieties of PirB in the retina of mice after optic nerve injury. In situ hybridization was used to observe the location of PirB mRNA in the retina of mice. Western blotting was used to analyze the levels of PirB protein in retina 7 days after optic nerve crush.

Small interfering RNA targeting of S phase kinase-interacting protein 2 inhibits cell proliferation of pterygium fibroblasts.

Purpose: Fibroblast cell proliferation is major reason for recurrence of pterygia. In the present study, we investigated if small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing of S phase-kinase-interacting protein 2 (Skp2) can be employed to inhibit protein 27 kinase inhibition protein 1 (p27(kip1)) down-regulation in pterygium fibroblast cells (PFC) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: A plasmid containing transgenes encoding Skp2 siRNA was used to decreasing the high constitutive levels of Skp2 protein in PFC and normal fibrboblast cells (NFC) in vitro and in vivo which can lead to consequent degradation of p27(kip1).

Microsurgical anatomy of the ocular motor nerves.

This study was designed to provide anatomic data to help surgeons avoid damage to the ocular motor nerves during intraorbital operations. The microsurgical anatomy of the ocular motor nerves was studied in 50 adult cadaveric heads (100 orbits). Dissections were performed with a microscope.

Axonal regeneration of optic nerve after crush in Nogo66 receptor knockout mice.

Mature retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) cannot regenerate injured axons because some neurite growth inhibitors, including the C-terminal of Nogo-A (Nogo66), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and Omgp, exert their effects on neuron regeneration through the Nogo receptor (NgR). In this study, the axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after optic nerve (ON) crush was investigated both in vivo and in vitro in NgR knockout mice. We used NgR knockout mice as the experimental group, and C57BL/6 mice as the control group.

Atorvastatin ameliorates cerebral vasospasm and early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage and inhibits caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway.

Background: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and early brain injury remain major causes of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, has the neuroprotective effects and ameliorating CVS after SAH. This study was designed to explore apoptosis inhibiting effects of atorvastatin and its potential apoptotic signal pathway after SAH.

Molecular markers relating to malignant progression in Grade II astrocytoma.

Object: Astrocytoma may progress rapidly or remain stable for many years. To clarify whether molecular characteristics could be prognostic factors, several cell cycling-associated molecular alterations in the diffuse astrocytoma have been investigated.

Methods: Thirty-three patients in whom WHO Grade II astrocytoma had been initially diagnosed were assigned to 1 of 3 groups.

Axonal regeneration after optic nerve crush in Nogo-A/B/C knockout mice.

Purpose: The axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after optic nerve (ON) crush was investigated both in vivo and in vitro on Nogo-A/B/C knockout mice.

Methods: The study used 20 Nogo-A/B/C knockout mice in the experimental group, and 20 C57BL/6 mice in the control group. Partial ON injury was induced by using a specially designed ON clip to pinch the ON 1 mm behind the mouse eyeball with 40 g pressure for 9 s.

[Recombinant adeno-associated virus conducted NgR(DN) enhances axonal regeneration of optic nerve after trauma: experiment with rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of recombinant adeno-associated virus conducted NgRDN on the axonal regeneration of optic nerve after trauma.

Methods: Two kinds of adeno-associated virus (AAV), AAV-NgRDN-EGFP containing dominant negative form of Nogo receptor and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and rAAV-NgR-EGFP containing Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) and EGFP, were constructed. 45 adult Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups, all with both eyes as experimental eyes: Groups A, B, and C to undergo injection of rAAV-EGFP, rAAV-NgR-EGFP, and rAAV-NgRDN-EGFP respectively into the vitreous; and each group was subdivided into 3 equal subgroups: subgroups 1 underwent injection of rAAV only, subgroups 2 underwent injection of rAAV and lens trauma, and subgroups 3 underwent injection of rAAV and zymosan.

Specific targeting of gliomas with multifunctional superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle optical and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

Aim: To determine whether glioma cells can be specifically and efficiently targeted by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPIO)-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-chlorotoxin (SPIOFC) that is detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging.

Methods: SPIOFC was synthesized by conjugating SPIO with FITC and chlorotoxin. Glioma cells (human U251-MG and rat C6) were cultured with SPIOFC and SPIOF (SPIO-FITC), respectively.