[Uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind steroidal saponin accumulation in (Decne.) Baily through transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis].

The leaves and roots of (Decne.) Baily were subjected to high-throughput Illumina transcriptome sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the enzyme genes and key transcription factors involved in regulating the accumulation of steroidal saponins, which are the main active ingredient in .

Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-04979064 regulates tumor growth in gastric cancer and enhances drug sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to 5-FU.

Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high tumor heterogeneity, increased surgical difficulty, and limited chemotherapy efficacy, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. The abnormal proliferation of cells involves abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Inhibition of this signaling pathway can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis.

Neutrophil extracellular trap burden correlates with the stenosis of coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis diseases (CADs) are associated with chronic inflammation. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a type of novel proinflammatory cytokines whose levels are dramatically elevated in acute coronary syndrome. We conducted this study to further evaluate the association between circulating NET-associated markers and CAD in Chinese adults.

Prognostic and Clinicopathological Significance of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Patients with Bile Duct Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

Recent studies have explored the prognostic role of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in patients with bile duct cancer (BTC), but the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to provide insight into the prognostic significance of the CAR in BTC prior to treatment using a meta-analysis. Summarized hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for prognosis and clinicopathological features using fixed or random effects models.

Expression and role of miR-146a and SMAD4 in placental tissue of pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Introduction: To investigate the expression of miR-146a in severe preeclampsia (PE) and its effect on trophoblast cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, as well as its relationship with SMAD4.

Material And Methods: Participants were divided into the severe PE group (n = 30) and the normal group (n = 30). The expression of miR-146a and SMAD4 in placenta tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blot.

Fluorescence detection of dopamine based on the polyphenol oxidase-mimicking enzyme.

In this work, a novel fluorescent method for the detection of dopamine (DA) was developed based on a fluorescent nanocomposite (Pdots@AMP-Cu) with polyphenol oxidase activity. Pdots@AMP-Cu was first prepared by the composite of fluorescent polymer dots and coordination nanostructures of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and Cu. The Pdots@AMP-Cu exhibited obvious red fluorescence emission (668 nm), as well as polyphenol oxidase activity by catalyzing the substrate 2,4-DP and 4-AP, and resulted in obvious changes of the solution color from colorless to red.

A colorimetric sensor array based on natural pigments for the discrimination of saccharides.

A colorimetric sensor array based on natural pigments was developed to discriminate between various saccharides. Anthocyanins, pH-sensitive natural pigments, were extracted from fruits and flowers and used as components of the sensor array. Variation in pH, due to the reaction between saccharides and boronic acids, caused obvious colour changes in the natural pigments.

HIF‑1α affects trophoblastic apoptosis involved in the onset of preeclampsia by regulating FOXO3a under hypoxic conditions.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that has severe implications on perinatal mortality and morbidity. Excessive apoptosis of trophoblasts induced by hypoxia may be associated with the development of PE, but the exact pathogenesis is unknown. Forkhead box O transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a) is activated under hypoxic conditions.

Differential placental methylation in preeclampsia, preterm and term pregnancies.

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Recently, the role of epigenetic modifications in preeclampsia has been a focus of research. This study was to identified genes or pathways that may be associated with PE, and discuss whether the changes in the methylation level of these genes is related to the pathogenesis of PE.

Expression of ACKR2 in placentas from different types of preeclampsia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of atypical chemokine receptor 2 (ACKR2, D6) in different types of preeclampsia (PE) and its effects on trophoblast proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods: The subjects were divided into four groups: early-onset PE group (EOPE, n = 30), late-onset PE group (LOPE, n = 30), preterm birth group (PB, n = 30), and normal group (N, n = 30). The expression of ACKR2 in placentas was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot.

Resveratrol induces SIRT1-Dependent autophagy to prevent HO-Induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HTR8/SVneo cells.

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy, and the likely pathogenic basis of early onset PE are placental dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. Resveratrol (RES) is a potent antioxidant which has shown beneficial effects in many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of RES against oxidative stress-induced damage in trophoblasts, and elucidate the potential mechanisms.

Sensitive chemical sensor array based on nanozymes for discrimination of metal ions and teas.

Tea, originating from China, is an important part of Chinese traditional culture. There are different qualities of and producing areas for tea on the market, therefore it is necessary to discriminate between teas in a fast and accurate way. In this study, a chemical sensor array based on nanozymes was developed to discriminate between different metal ions and teas.

Fluorometric and colorimetric analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity based on a nucleotide coordinated copper ion mimicking polyphenol oxidase.

In this work, a fluorometric and colorimetric analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was developed based on nanozymes. The nanozymes were composed of nucleotides (ATP, ADP and AMP) coordinated with copper ions. All three kinds of nanozymes (ATP-Cu, ADP-Cu and AMP-Cu) exhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO)-mimic activity by catalyzing a chromogenic reaction of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DP) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AP).

Altered DNA methylation and transcription of WNT2 and DKK1 genes in placentas associated with early-onset preeclampsia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the changes in DNA methylation and transcription of WNT2 and DKK1 genes in placentas associated with early-onset preeclampsia.

Methods: The study includes three groups: patients with early-onset preeclampsia, normotensive preterm and term births. Placental tissues were collected and pyrosequencing was performed on DKK1 and WNT2 proximal promoters.

RNAi‑mediated downregulation of asparaginase‑like protein 1 inhibits growth and promotes apoptosis of human cervical cancer line SiHa.

Asparaginase like 1 (ASRGL1) protein belongs to the N‑terminal nucleophile group, cleaving the isoaspartyl‑dipeptides and L‑asparagine by adding water. It tends to be overexpressed in cancerous tumors including ovarian cancer and breast tumors. The present study assessed the potential ability of ASRGL1 as a molecular target in gene‑based cervical cancer treatment.

Optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation following percutaneous coronary intervention: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

A challenge for antithrombotic treatment is patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome, particularly in patients who have undergone coronary percutaneous intervention with stenting (PCIS). In the present study, a total of nine observational trials published prior to July 2017 that investigated the effects of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; aspirin + clopidogrel) and triple oral antithrombotic therapy (TOAT; DAPT + warfarin) among patients with AF concurrent to PCIS were collected from the Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases and conference proceedings of cardiology, gastroenterology and neurology meetings. A meta-analysis was performed using fixed- or random-effect models according to heterogeneity.

Down-regulation of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury following acute myocardial infarction.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of long non-coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury following acute myocardial infarction, as well as its regulatory mechanism. We used the cardiac muscle H9c2 cells under condition of oxygen glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion (OGD/R) to induce myocardial I/R injury. Then H9C2 cells were transfected with si-NC, si-KCNQ1OT1, pc-NC, pc-KCNQ1OT1, si-AdipoR1 and si-AdipoR2, respectively.

Association of folate metabolism gene polymorphisms and haplotype combination with pulmonary embolism risk in Chinese Han population.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (MTHFR 677 C > T, MTHFR 1298 A > C, MTR 2756 A > G and MTRR 66 A > G), gene-gene interaction and haplotype combination with pulmonary embolism (PE) risk based on Chinese Han population. Logistic regression was performed to investigate association between four SNPs within folate metabolism gene and PE risk, and GMDR model was used to investigate the additional gene-gene interactions among the four SNPs. Logistic analysis showed that rs1801133 and rs1801131 in MTHFR gene were associated with increased PE risk in both additive and dominant models.

Spatial and temporal characteristics of air quality and air pollutants in 2013 in Beijing.

Air pollution has become an ever more critical issue in Beijing in more recent years. In this study, we use the air quality index (AQI), corresponding primary pollutant types and meteorological data which are collected at 16 monitoring stations in Beijing between January 2013 and December, 2013 studying the spatial and temporal variations of air quality and air pollutants. The results show that PM2.

Resveratrol lowers blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats via calcium-dependent endothelial NO production.

Objective: Resveratrol, a polyphenol of natural compounds, has beneficial cardiovascular effects, many of which are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Resveratrol increases intracellular calcium and activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), all of which could increase NO production. We hypothesized that resveratrol via a calcium-dependent NO production lowers blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Bioinformatics analysis of time series gene expression in left ventricle (LV) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

This study is to investigate the key genes and their possible function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The data of GSE4648 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database include 6 time points (15 min, 60 min, 4h, 12h, 24h and 48 h) of 12 left ventricle (LV) samples, 12 surviving LV free wall (FW) samples, 12 inter-ventricular septum (IVS) samples after AMI operation and corresponding sham-operated samples. The data of each sample were analyzed with Affy and Bioconductor packages, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out using BETR package with false discovery rate (FDR)<0.

[Spatiotemporal dynamics of land use in Langqi Island at Minjiang Estuary].

By using RS and GIS techniques and a series of indices in characterizing the dynamics of land use, the spatiotemporal characteristics of land use in Langqi Island at Minjiang Estuary in 1989, 1996 and 2005 was studied. The results showed that in 1989-2005, the land use types in the Island all changed, but agricultural landscape was always the main land type. The single land use dynamics of water area was the largest, which reached 7.

[Changes of species diversity in gap gradient of mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wanmulin Forest].

Based on the investigation of gap and non-gap stands in the mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wanmulin Nature Reserve of Fujian Province, this paper studied the changes of species diversity in gap gradient and in gaps with different sizes. The results showed that the species richness and diversity decreased gradually from gap center to non-gap, ecological dominance was higher in center and lower in edges, and species evenness was in adverse to ecological dominance. The species diversity in all areas of gap was the maximum when the gap size was 200 to approximately 300 m2.

[Experience model for self-thinning process of even-aged pure stands].

Based on the famous -3/2 power rule and generalized Schumacher growth equation, a mathematical model for the density change of even-aged pure stands with time during self-thinning process was presented, and the genetic algorithms was used to fit this nonlinear model. With the collected data from Populus tremula var. davidiana, Pinus yunnanensis and Cunninghamia lanceolata even-aged pure stands, the new model was verified and compared with other models.