CCN1 Promotes Mesenchymal Phenotype Transition Through Activating NF-κB Signaling Pathway Regulated by S100A8 in Glioma Stem Cells.

Background: The presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs) and the occurrence of mesenchymal phenotype transition contribute to the miserable prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1) is upregulated within various malignancies and associated with cancer development and progression, while the implications of CCN1 in the phenotype transition and tumorigenicity of GSCs remain unclear.

Methods: Data for bioinformatic analysis were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases.

Substrate scent-induced disproportionate seed dispersal by rodents.

Conspecific adults impose strong negative density-dependent effects on seed survival nearby parent trees, however, the underlying mechanisms are diversified and remain unclear. In this study, we presented consistent evidence that parent-scented forest floor masked seed odor, reduced cache recovery rate by scatter-hoarding animals, and then increased seed dispersal far away from mother trees. Our results showed that seed odors of Korean pine match well with the volatile profile of their forest floor.

An engineered Cas12i nuclease that is an efficient genome editing tool in animals and plants.

The type V-I CRISPR-Cas system is becoming increasingly more attractive for genome editing. However, natural nucleases of this system often exhibit low efficiency, limiting their application. Here, we used structure-guided rational design and protein engineering to optimize an uncharacterized Cas12i nuclease, Cas12i3.

The Protective Effect of Lycium Ruthenicum Murr Anthocyanins in Cr (VI)-Induced Mitophagy in DF-1 Cells.

Cr (VI) is an extremely toxic environment and professional pollutant that seriously damages mitochondrial dysfunction when it enters a cell. Anthocyanins possess anti-oxidant, antiaging, and antifatigue properties. The regulatory effect of Lycium ruthenicum Murr anthocyanin (LRMA) on Cr (VI)-induced mitophagy in DF-1 cells was determined.

Inflation Prediction Method Based on Deep Learning.

Forward-looking forecasting of the inflation rate could help the central bank and other government departments to better use monetary policy to stabilize prices and prevent the impact of inflation on market entities, especially for low- and middle-income groups. It can also help financial institutions and investors better make investment decisions. In this sense, the forecast of inflation rate is of great significance.

Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides inhibit Pseudorabies virus replication via downregulating virus-induced autophagy.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the common pathogens in farms. Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharide (PGPS) has been reported with a variety of biological activities. Autophagy is one of the vital mechanisms for cells to cope with virus infection, and it may also inhibit or promote virus replication.

Inflammatory injury and mitophagy of the brain in chicken exposed to Cr(VI).

The aim of this study is to determine whether Cr(VI) can induce inflammatory injury in chicken brain and influence mitophagy and related mechanisms. A total of 120 hyline brown chickens (1 day old, 20±3g) were selected and randomly divided into four groups and given different doses of Cr(VI) (0, 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg) every day at 45 days. Results showed that excessive intake of Cr(VI) led to increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and decreased interferon-gamma (IF-γ) level.

Cr(VI) promotes tight joint and oxidative damage by activating the Nrf2/ROS/Notch1 axis.

This study aimed to investigate whether Cr(VI) induced tight joint and oxidative damage in the small intestine, as mediated by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Notch1 axis crosstalk. Thirty-two ICR mice were obtained and subjected to Cr(VI) via intragastric administration daily for 5 days. Western blot (WB) analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were applied to detect small intestinal damage, Nrf2, Notch1, and respective downstream targets in this research.

Correlation Analysis between GDM and Gut Microbial Composition in Late Pregnancy.

The prevalence of GDM is very high worldwide. The specific pathogenesis of GDM is currently not very clear. Recent research suggests that changes in the intestinal flora during pregnancy play a key role in it.

The role of ATF6 in Cr(VI)-induced apoptosis in DF-1 cells.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a common heavy metal pollutant in environment and has been proved possessing the cytotoxicity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6) in apoptosis of chicken embryo fibroblasts cell line (DF-1) induced by Cr(VI). Firstly, DF-1 cells were exposed to Cr(VI) to establish the cytotoxicity model, then the cell apoptosis and ATF-6 protein level were analyzed.

Promotion of miR-221-5p on the Sensitivity of Gastric Cancer Cells to Cisplatin and Its Effects on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis by Regulating DDR1.

Purpose: This research aimed to explore the role of miR-221-5p on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cisplatin, and the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells by regulating DDR1.

Patients And Methods: Altogether 69 patients who treated with radical gastrectomy from January 2014 to January 2016 were collected. With the agree of the patients, 69 gastric carcinoma and 69 adjacent tissues were taken, respectively, during the operation, and gastric carcinoma and human gastric mucosa cells were purchased.

Serum metabonomics study of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus based on LC-MS.

Objective: Through metabolomics method, the objective of the paper is to differentially screen serum metabolites of GDM patients and healthy pregnant women, to explore potential biomarkers of GDM and analyze related pathways, and to explain the potential mechanism and biological significance of GDM.

Methods: The serum samples from 30 GDM patients and 30 healthy pregnant women were selected to conduct non-targeted metabolomics study by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The differential metabolites between the two groups were searched and the metabolic pathway was analyzed by KEGG database.

Perinatal and follow-up outcome study of fetal anomalies with multidisciplinary consultation.

Synopsis: The establishment of a multidisciplinary consultation system is necessary for the diagnosis of complicated fetal anomalies.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the incidences of different types of fetal anomalies and the influence of multidisciplinary consultation on fetal prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Multidisciplinary specialists include obstetricians, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and experts of ultrasound department and genetic counseling.

[Effects of different salt and alkali stresses on ion distribution in Red globe/Beta grapevines].

The potted Red globe/Beta grapevines were selected to irrigated with NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3, NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4. Hence, the ions which induced leaf etiolation were screened and the impacts of different salt and alkali on ion distribution in different organs of grapevines were investigated. It was found that NaHCO3 exerted the greatest effects on grapevines, leaf etiolation at 14 days after treatment.

[Clinical observations of sequential interferon therapy following complete response to telbivudine treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic benefit of sequential interferon alpha-1b (IFNa-1b) in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who showed early complete response to telbivudine (LdT) treatment, and to explore the clinical value of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for predicting sustained virological response (SVR).

Methods: Twenty HBeAg+ CHB patients who had shown a complete response to LdT therapy before treatment week 52 were divided into two treatment groups: one continued on the LdT treatment for an additional 6 months, and the other switched to IFNa-1b for 6 months. Each patient presented for follow-up examinations at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months after treatment cessation.

Efficacy of consensus interferon in treatment of HbeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a newly developed type I interferon.

Aims: This multicentre, controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of CIFN and to compare it with alpha-1b-interferon (IFN-alpha1b) in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: 144 Patients were randomly assigned to receive 9 microg CIFN (CIFN group) or 50 microg INF-alpha1b (IFN-alpha group) subcutaneously 3 times weekly for 24 weeks, followed by 24 weeks of observation.

[Dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with telbivudine].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with telbivudine (LDT).

Methods: The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma in the blood cells of HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks after LDT treatment by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), the levels and dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in groups of complete response, partial response, non-response, virologic breakthrough were compared.

Results: The levels of Th1 type cytokines in complete response group were higher than those in groups of partial response, non-response and virologic breakthrough, however, the levels of Th2 type cytokines showed an opposite trend compared with Th1 type cytokines.

Ammonium 2-(2,4-dichloro-phen-oxy)acetate hemihydrate.

The title compound, NH(4) (+)·C(8)H(7)Cl(2)O(6) (-)·0.5H(2)O, was prepared by the reaction of 2-(2,4-dichloro-phen-oxy)-acetic acid and ammonia in water at 367 K. The mol-ecular structure and packing are stabilized by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O inter-molecular hydrogen-bond inter-actions.

[Short-term results of telbivudine versus entecavir treatments in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients in China].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine (LDT) versus entecavir treatments in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: Eighty HBeAg-positive compensated CHB patients with HBV DNA more than 6 log10 copies/ml and serum ALT 2 x ULN were divided into two groups: a telbivudine treatment group, and a entecavir treatment group. HBV DNA, ALT and HBeAg were surveyed at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks.

[A clinical study of N-acetylcysteine treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) in treating chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated daily with an injection containing the same basic therapeutic drugs and randomly divided into a NAC group (50 patients) and a GSH group (25 patients). A daily dose of 8 grams of NAC and 1.

Engineering of vascular grafts with genetically modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on poly (propylene carbonate) graft.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated their pluripotency to differentiate into different cell lineages and may be an alternative cell source for vascular tissue engineering. The objective of this study is to create small diameter vessels by seeding and culture of genetically modified MSCs onto a synthetic polymer scaffold produced by an electrospinning technique. A tubular scaffold (2 mm in diameter) with a microstructure of nonwoven fibers was produced by electrospinning of poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC).

Activation of extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 in Sertoli cells in experimentally cryptorchid rhesus monkeys.

Aim: To assess the spatiotemporal changes in the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in response to heat stress in the cryptorchid testis, and to investigate a possible relation to Sertoli cell dedifferentiation.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to examine the expression and activation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in the cryptorchid testis at various stages after experimental cryptorchidism.

Results: The abdominal temperature did not obviously change the total ERK1/2 expression but significantly activated phospho-ERK1/2 in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis.

Replication of hepatitis B virus in primary duck hepatocytes transfected with linear viral DNA.

Aim: To explore the expression and replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in primary duck hepatocytes (PDHs).

Methods: Complete HBV genome was transfected into PDHs by electroporation (transfected group, 1.19 x 10(12) copies of linear HBV DNA/1 x 10(7) PDHs).

[A single factor analysis of the prognosis of 301 hepatitis failure cases and a study of a scoring system on their prognostic assessment].

Objectives: To analyze the factors related to prognosis of hepatitis failure and to determine the factors which significantly affect it, and to build a scoring system for assessment of the prognosis of hepatitis failure and also to examine its efficacy for clinical use.

Methods: Clinical data from 301 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The correlated degree between those single factors and prognosis of hepatitis failure was explored by logistic regression analysis.

[Clinical investigation of famciclovir in chronic hepatitis B patients irresponsive to alpha interferon treatment].

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of famciclovir on the decreasing levels of serum HBV-DNA and ALT and HBeAg/antiHBe seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients irresponsive to 3 months treatment with alpha interferon.

Methods: Two hundred and nineteen patients with chronic HBV infection, defined as positive HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA, were enrolled and randomly half-and- half put into famciclovir and placebo groups. The two groups received either famciclovir 500 mg tid or a placebo treatment for 24 weeks, and then were followed-up for another 24 weeks with no treatment.